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Zhumadilov says Ukraine could have gotten a lower price for the vaccine
Health Minister Maxim Stepanov has independently determined the supplier of the coronavirus vaccine for Ukraine. The state company “Medical Procurement” indicates that it has exceeded its powers.
The head of the SE Arsen Zhumadilov wrote about this on his Facebook page.
Hiring breakdown
The head of the State Enterprise notes that today there are 7.25 billion vaccines ordered in the world, therefore, for today’s Ukraine, manufacturers had to reserve 40 million doses of vaccines. With the exception of 8 million doses of COVAX, commercial orders were expected to reach 32 million doses.
“Instead, they had 0 as of December 29,” Zhumadilov wrote.
Medzakupki emphasizes that from spring until today it was necessary to sign at least 4-5 agreements with various manufacturers that produce vaccines using various technologies. It was also necessary to prescribe an exhaustive list of requirements for the vaccine, which, in the event of non-compliance by the manufacturer, become the basis for not accepting the product.
However, it was not until December 10 that the Ministry of Health authorized the public company to carry out the acquisition. As of December 18, a dialogue was held with several manufacturers to conclude the supply contracts as soon as possible.
How the Ministry of Health intervened in the negotiation process of “Medzakupok”
According to the head of Medzakupki, on December 21, the Minister of Health, in a meeting with the Prime Minister, announced the interruption of negotiations with vaccine manufacturers, since the State Company demanded a bank guarantee for the prepayment. Zhumadilov emphasized that this is standard procedure.
In this regard, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, Denis Shmygal, instructed the company to work with the market exclusively through the Ministry of Health, and Stepanov on the same day confirmed that all actions for the purchase of vaccines must be coordinated by the Ministry.
“Either due to a lack of understanding of the specific details of the operation of financial instruments, or with the intention of eliminating the state company from direct negotiations, the minister issued this demand to our suppliers as a threat of interruption,” wrote Zhumadilov He added that the manufacturer announced on the same day its willingness to provide prepaid bank guarantee.
As of the morning of December 28, the SE received a response from only one provider, with whom it reached an agreement.
The CEO of Medzakupok believes that in the framework of this purchase, he did not adhere to the principle of separation of the functions of a political body (Ministry of Health) and a procurement agency.
“The minister, in fact, determined the supplier himself. According to my information, Ukraine could fetch a price at least US $ 1 lower than the final price if the state-owned company negotiated independently, creating competitive pressure on the supplier.” said.
Zhumadilov pointed out that today Ukraine really could have had two contracts, and not one, for two different vaccines.
“Since January, the only role played by the Ministry of Health in the procurement of vaccines must be communication: confirm, if they contact the vaccine manufacturers, the powers of the GP to contract vaccines. Play with the minister Stepanov in his mediocre attempts to negotiate … I do not plan. ” , – summarized.
We remind, earlier, the head of state Volodymyr Zelensky, that Ukraine signed the first contract for the supply of vaccines against COVID only at the end of December due to the “outbreak of national selfishness” in the world.
As RBC-Ukraine wrote, the first batch of coronavirus vaccines from the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech will be delivered to Ukraine within 30 days of their official registration. The first section will amount to 700 thousand doses.
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