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Pharmaceuticals: No foul play in procurements: SPC

10 Jul 2022

  • Says tender process was followed
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa Allegations of corruption have been levelled against the Government’s medicine procurement process, with the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) remaining steadfast that no misconduct had taken place, The Sunday Morning learns. The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) last week alleged that the ongoing medicine shortages had now become a blessing to the drug ‘mafia’ as it had now paved the way for certain suppliers to gain massive profits under the guise of emergency purchases. GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge stressed that it had been reported that the Government was purchasing some pills – which cost only Rs. 6 – at Rs. 600. “The current situation was a result of not ordering the required medicine stocks on time and defaulting on the payments that should have been made to the suppliers,” he said, adding that the drug shortage that had emerged through this had been a blessing for the drug mafia. Reports by the Auditor General revealed instances where some medicines that were to be purchased at Rs. 6 per pill now cost more than Rs. 600 through the normal tender procedures, Dr. Aluthge explained. Dr. Aluthge stressed that the wastage of money could not be justified in any way in a backdrop where over Rs. 100 billion worth of taxpayer funds were spent for the process of purchasing medicines and equipment. Nevertheless, the SPC denied the allegations levelled by the GMOA, saying that the Corporation always selected the lowest responsive bidder for the drug purchases. SPC Managing Director Dinusha Dassanayake told The Sunday Morning that all procurement had been undertaken through competitive bidding.  He explained that the proposals submitted by the bidders would first be sent to a technical evaluation committee, then to a procurement committee, which would then make a decision. The tenders are awarded to a technically qualified responsive bidder, he said, adding that the tenders would not always be awarded to the lowest bidder as the bidders should fulfil all requirements.  Attempts to contact Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella for comment failed.    


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