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Disgruntled company behind row over procurement of emergency pharmaceuticals –Harmon
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has provided some insight into the true reason behind the quarrel over the recent procurement of millions worth in emergency pharmaceuticals by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence
During a Cabinet press briefing, the Cabinet Secretary said that the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, will be making a more in-depth statement on the matter.
The issue relates to the fact that Ansa McAl Trading Limited was just one of four companies awarded a contract to supply emergency pharmaceuticals for the Hospital.
The politician said that the matter is one which came to the fore because there appears to be one company which feels that it has the “right” to be the only procuring entity to supply the nation with drugs and other pharmaceuticals. He did not name the company at the press conference.
Harmon assured that Minister Lawrence has very clear statements that will soon be issued to bring further clarity to the matter.
It was on Thursday that Ansa McAl Trading Limited sought to set the record straight regarding misleading statements which were being circulated in the media that it benefitted from a million dollar contract for the procurement of emergency pharmaceutical supplies through the process of sole sourcing.
In a statement to the media, the conglomerate chronicled the events leading up to how it was awarded a contract for the supply of $605M worth of drugs.
The company explained that a meeting was held in the conference room of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on January 16, last.
The entity said that the meeting was held with all suppliers in an effort to address stock shortages and the urgent need for some products.
Ansa McAl said that it was announced that this was because the previous invite to tender in November of 2016 had been compromised, resulting in a further delay of supply.
The company said that tender documents had been prepared for emergency supplies with specific tendering process requirements.
Contrary to comments of “sole sourcing” being in play, the company made it clear that it was one of four companies asked to bid on a list of products that were either low or out of stock at GHPC. This was also confirmed to Kaieteur News by CEO of GPHC, Alan Johnson and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).
AMTL said that it adhered to the process and submitted a bid on February 14, last.
“AMTL tendered for 300 plus items and were successful and awarded 118 items within the tender. AMTL adhered to the procuring process which required a submission of an invoice of the awarded items which must be delivered within the 14 working days.”
The billion-dollar company stressed that it prides itself on being renowned for branded, quality products as it represents 13 of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies in the world. Officials at Ansa McAl made it clear that those companies and their products have proven to be compliant, safe and of the correct efficacy.
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