The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday said corruption to the tune of tens of millions had been detected in the Sindh health department in purchase of medicine for the treatment of killer disease of hepatitis B and C.
The department spent 240 million rupees on purchase of 48,000 injections which were available for almost 80 million in the market. According to the details, the Program Manager of hepatitis prevention and control programme invited tenders for procuring supply of medicines including that for hepatitis B and C.
Various national and international pharmaceuticals submitted their technical as well as financial bids for qualifying the tender.
On December 26, 2014, the department in violation of procurement laws, awarded tenders to a multinational company on the grounds that their products are approved by FDA (Federal Drug Authority of USA) and EMA (European Medicine Agency).
Dr Murtaza Mughal said that the officials rejected the bids of national companies on the grounds that their products were not FDA or EMA approved which is not only against the law but also an insult to the (DRAP) Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan which has granted registrations to these products.
Moreover many institutions continue to buy locally made hepatitis medicine for half and one-third of price since years with no complaints, he added.
He said that awarding tenders on the basis of foreign approval is utter violation of law as FDA and EMA qualification cannot be made applicable in Pakistan in presence of country’s own authority i.e. DRAP.
The charges of malafides and corruption is substantiated by another act of officials as they forged back dated documents like award letter and minutes of meeting, said Dr Murtaza Mughal.
By awarding tenders to multinationals on double and triple the cost of other available products, these elements has not only caused huge losses to public exchequer but also deprived the poor patients form the benefit of treatment, he said.
He said that one of the multinational company that won tender is facing corruption probes in dozens of the countries and has been found guilty at many courts worldwide.
One of the largest pharma companies which is also the largest exporter has approached the High Court of Sindh through Shahid Memon Advocate and challenge the malafide actions and collusions of government officials and multinational companies.
