Last week, we revisited the purchase of drugs and medical supplies for the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Hospital in the light of media reports suggesting that the criteria to be used in the prequalification of suppliers are heavily weighted in favour of a local organization. This organisation has become the Government’s main supplier since 2005, delivering over 75 per cent of the Government’s requirements and virtually displacing specialized overseas agencies that had previously supplied over 90 per cent of the Government’s requirements.
Analysis of Government’s procurement
Between 2005 and 2012, the Government’s expenditure on drugs and medical supplies more than tripled, increasing from $1.357 billion to $4.393 billion. In particular, 2007 and 2011 recorded increases of 50 per cent and 56 per cent respectively. (No figures are available for 2008 because of the fire
