Controversial company supplying medicines still in operation

A logistics company dubbed a "bad actor" in the 2019 Public Accounts Committee [PAC] inquiry into the health sector's supply, procurement, and distribution of medical supplies is alleged to still be operating.

The inquiry reportedly uncovered gross incompetence and lack of transparency in the Medicine Supply, Procurement and Distribution [MSPD] Branch of the Health Department, which is the branch responsible for awarding of contracts and oversight of the distribution function of medicines.

Among its recommendations were to make the MSPD branch redundant and form an independent authority to oversee these functions and evaluate medicine manufacturers and suppliers, test medicines as they enter the country, and use Post PNG to distribute medicines from NCD to the 21 provinces, among others.

In a series of questions to Health Minister Elias Kapavore yesterday in parliament, Northern Provincial MP Gary Juffa says that among some of the reasons is the shortage of medicine supplies and consumables, and this is due to their late distribution by logistics companies.

He says his findings reveal the logistics company named in the PAC inquiry is still in operation without a proper warehouse:

Juffa asked when the Health Minister and his department would implement the PAC inquiry recommendations:

Mr Kapavore, in response, said his department will investigate the company, which is allegedly still in operation, and report back to Parliament.

He is also expected to present a report on the implementation of the 2019 PAC recommendations, to the House on Friday.