MBABANE – Ten medical-drug companies ‘implicated in the acquisition and distribution of medicines to public health facilities in the country’ face possible government contracts’ suspension.
The implicated service providers being, Avapharma, Burco, Mabuyekhaya Pharmaceuticals Wholesalers, E Medical and Consumables, Hloza Investments, ASD Medical, Pharm Industry Swaziland, Sindroe Investments, Swazipharm Wholesalers and V & H Surgical, have been listed by the Ministry of Health Principal Secretary (PS), Khanyakwezwe Mabuza.
In a letter notifying the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA), Mabuza explained that the intention to suspend comes after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) called for the implementation of its recommendations around the national health crisis.
Mabuza said following the Auditor General’s audit report, the ministry launched a forensic audit in the acquisition and distribution of medicines to public health facilities in the country, a report which was discussed and adopted by the PAC which in turn made decisive recommendations.
Mabuza stated that the report called upon the Ministry of Health to implement a number of recommendations, one of which relates to instituting processes leading to the suspension of implicated service providers in the acquisition and distribution of medicines to public health facilities.
The PS said ESPPRA is mandated by the Public Procurement Regulation 17(1) to suspend unruly service providers after investigations are concluded.
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