Ministry of Health guides hospitals in bidding to overcome drug shortages

Many rare drugs and expanded immunization vaccines are negotiated and centrally purchased - Illustration photo: Provided by the hospital

Based on the synthesis of difficulties and problems in the practical implementation of procurement and bidding for drugs, medical supplies and equipment, the Ministry of Health has consecutively issued 4 circulars guiding the list of drug quality regulations, the list of drugs subject to price negotiation, and regulations on drug bidding...

The Ministry of Health said that the circulars have many regulations to maximally resolve the shortcomings in bidding that hospitals have reported, such as a lack of drugs, supplies, and local equipment at medical facilities, shortcomings and limitations in selecting contractors for centralized procurement, and shortcomings in building bidding package prices...

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health has guided the national centralized drug procurement list, the list of drugs, medical equipment, and testing supplies for price negotiation, updated according to the principles and criteria for construction to ensure suitability with practice, publicity, transparency, and economic efficiency.

In addition, the circular also adds principles and criteria for vaccines for the expanded immunization program that are subject to price negotiations.

In particular, the circular also provides additional guidance on the list of medical equipment and testing supplies that are subject to price negotiation. Rare drugs and drugs purchased in small quantities (such as drugs to treat poisoning, snake bites, etc.) are also subject to price negotiation and centralized procurement.

Previously, rare drugs and drugs purchased in small quantities were not subject to price negotiation and were purchased centrally. Because drugs needed to be purchased in small quantities in each locality and unit, separate bidding would make it difficult to select suppliers.

In addition, circulars providing specific guidance on planning and organizing the selection of drug contractors are developed at three levels: national, local and grassroots levels, thereby reducing the volume of drugs to be bid for at all levels.

The quantity of drugs on the centralized procurement list will be adjusted to suit the actual drug usage situation in each locality compared to the original plan, limiting the situation of local drug surplus and shortage in localities.

According to the Ministry of Health, centralized procurement creates conditions for many contractors to participate, ensuring increased competition in bidding, creating favorable conditions in terms of time for units to focus on professional tasks.

At the same time, it helps ensure price consistency and stability, facilitating state management, payment of medical examination and treatment costs, and saving costs in organizing bidding.

In addition, the circular also stipulates the application of designated bidding to help overcome drug shortages at facilities in urgent cases.

According to the Ministry of Health, the circulars will overcome difficulties and problems in purchasing drugs, medical equipment, and testing supplies at public health facilities in recent times.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bo-y-te-huong-dan-benh-vien-dau-thau-khac-phuc-tinh-trang-thieu-thuoc-20240524145454003.htm