Govt. launches competitive bidding for drugs

Pharmaceutical providers gathered at the Radisson this morning for a brief ceremony in which the Ministry of Health officially opened their drug tenders. The open system for tenders for pharmaceuticals used by government is the brainchild of Health Minister Jose Coye. According to supplies officer Norine Kerr, a committee comprised of health professionals recommended the products to be purchased.

Norine Kerr, Supplies Officer, Min. of Health

“The committee looked at pass performance, which included delivery time, quality of products. Belize does not have the mechanism in place as yet to test drug products, therefore, what was used it visual inspections. Price, thirdly. Price, however was never considered the only determinant in the selection of supplies. Purchasing thereafter, would be made based on the approval by the Ministry of Health. This would be done quarterly, due to the budget disbursement and storage capacity at the Central Medical Store. This is the process presently being used. With the health reform process, we are now looking at a new paradigm, which is the maximum price contract.”

Kerr says the thirty-seven tenders will be placed in the ministry’s database and the information will greatly assist them when it’s time to make their quarterly purchases. This new initiative will also make pharmaceuticals more easily available as more than one tender will be accepted.