Health will receive medicines and supplies worth US$ 85 million for distribution throughout the country

Asuncion, IP Agency.- In the coming days, the Ministry of Public Health will receive medicines and supplies awarded through two bidding processes, which total an investment of 85 million dollars. Products in high demand in health facilities are guaranteed with these purchasing processes.

To expedite the process, the Ministry of Health also reported that authorities of the institution are in dialogue with representatives of companies awarded the two Public Tenders held, for the timely and rapid provision of these medicines and supplies to the Ministry.

It also clarifies that the List of Essential Medicines managed by the Ministry consists of a total of 1,184 items, including medicines and supplies, of which 58 items are currently in a critical state of supply.

There are 494 items in the List of Essential Medicines (LME), while there are 690 items in the List of Essential Medical Supplies (LIME).

This information clarifies the content of newspaper publications that point out the alleged lack of more than 2,300 medicines from the Public Health list. “This figure exceeds the total number of items on both lists of the Ministry, which add up to 1,184, including medicines and supplies,” the institution states.

Regarding the 58 items in critical condition, they reported that this situation is due to delays in the bidding processes, but that said tenders have already been awarded and the medicines and supplies will begin to be received in the next few days for distribution to hospitals and Family Health Units throughout the country.

The two bidding processes that will supply the country’s network of health facilities correspond to National Public Tender (LPN) No. 7, worth ₲ 502,715,390,520 (69.82 million dollars) and LPN No. 15, worth ₲ 108,733,137,442 (15.10 million dollars), both focused on the acquisition of high-turnover medicines and medical supplies.

On the other hand, the state portfolio strengthens the Automated Inventory Information and Control System of Paraguay (SICIAP) and expands the use of the Health Information System (HIS), measures that will allow for better control and greater predictability.

In addition to LME and LIME products, the SICIAP also includes drugs acquired through exceptional means (such as legal protection, etc.), but they are not part of the Ministry’s regular purchase lists, the institution clarifies.