Defending Public Health Minister Dr George Norton amid growing criticism over a controversial contract for the storage of pharmaceuticals, President David Granger said the minister entered into the contract to avoid the new rates being demanded by the New GPC.
“The Ministry of Public Health attempted to avoid the pitfalls which prevailed under the previous administration… what happened is that the new administration decided to bring an end to single sourcing,” the President said during this week’s recording of “The Public Interest.”
“Government found it impossible to pay new rate being charged by the corporation under the old arrangement…It was almost impossible, punitive, which caused the government to seek a new bond,” he added.
On Monday, Norton was taken to task in the National Assembly when he told the House that the drugs were being stored in a bond at Lot 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown, where $12.5 million monthly was being paid to the new rental company identified as Linden Holdings.
