Health Minister’s statement on HDM Inc contract award

The Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence wishes to set the record straight on the mischievous, salacious and inaccurate reports in some sections of the media with regard to an August 2017 contract for the supply of Emergency Pharmaceutical Supplies for Regional and Clinic Services.

The facts on the matter are clear and set out that all the relevant procedures were properly followed by the Ministry of Public Health. • In April 2017, six companies responded to the request for the supply of Emergency Pharmaceutical Supplies for Regional and Clinic Services.

The six companies were: 1. Ansa McAl Limited; 2. Caribbean Medical Supplies; 3. Global Healthcare Supplies; 4. International Pharmaceutical Agency; 5. HDM Labs Inc.; 6. Meditron Inc.

• The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) recommended that no award be made as all bidders failed to meet the evaluation criteria at the preliminary stage.

• The Ministry of Public Health then sought permission from NPTAB for Restrictive Tendering. NPTAB granted permission. • All six companies were then asked, by letter, to resubmit bids. Only one company (HDM Labs Inc) responded.

• NPTAB then recommended that the contract be awarded having completed its evaluation report.

• A memo was submitted to Cabinet to this effect on August 29, 2017. Cabinet noted the recommendation of NPTAB. The contract was awarded on August 31, 2017, with all the relevant and applicable procedures having been duly and properly followed.

Minister Lawrence will provide further and complete details in the National Assembly on this matter on Thursday, July 19 but takes note of the curious timing of this non-story, almost an entire year after the contract was awarded and, importantly, when a certain critical political decision is imminent.

Minister Lawrence trusts that this issue is not part of what would be a sinister campaign to influence this decision.

(Kaieteur News)