Chronology of news reports
The National (Sept 12, 2019):
Medical kits supplied by BPPL are ready to be distributed to more than 2,000 health centres and aid posts nationwide, Kase says.
The National (Aug 22, 2019):
The PAC announced that it will hold an inquiry into the recent K100 million worth of contract awards to BPPL to supply medical kits and antibiotics.
The National (Aug 20, 2019):
The NAD and the Government, specifically the NDOH, appear to be heading for a “bruising showdown” over the country’s controversial procurement and supply of medicines (pharmaceutical drugs).
The National (Aug 19, 2019):
PM Marape says the Government is reviewing and looking into alternative ways to improve its procurement and supply of medicines (pharmaceutical drugs) for the people.
The National (Aug 16, 2019):
The NDA has questioned the Government’s rationale of awarding contracts to the private sector for the supply of medical kits and medicine.
The National (Aug 15, 2019):
BPPL has been awarded Government contracts to supply medical kits and antibiotics valued at more than K100 million.
The National (April 28, 2014):
(Then) Health Minister Michael Malabag has assured the country that imported medical supplies will be monitored for quality. He said in a statement that BPPL would be monitored “to ensure that we receive quality medicines”.
The National (April 4, 2014):
The WHO says it does not recognise pharmaceutical companies. The NDA in an advertorial on April 4 stated that the NCPC and CSPC Pharmaceutical Group were recognised by WHO and Unicef and had received certification from various regulatory authorities, including the Chinese FDA, that the quality of their products procured by BPPL were assured.
The National (Jan 15, 2014):
Northern Governor Garry Juffa, in Parliament, questioned (then) Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Michael Malabag whether BPPL was ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation)-compliant and if he was aware that the same company was responsible for the procurement and distribution of anti-venom for snake species not found in PNG.
The National (Jan 15, 2014):
(Then) Health Minister Michael Malabag has assured the country that imported medical supplies will be monitored for quality. He said in a statement that BPPL would be monitored “to ensure that we receive quality medicines”.
PNG ATTITUDE (Jan 31, 2014):
It all began back in September last year when (then) PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill announced that the BPPL … would be given a contract to supply PNG pharmaceuticals. Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop then announced that her government would not support this decision as BPPL did not have the ISO 9001 quality rating and this implied their procurement methods were not up to a standard where they could be trusted to maintain a supply of good quality drugs. There had been a history of trouble in the supply of medical kits and Australia had come to PNG’s aid and contributed millions of kina to aid their distribution
The National (Dec 31, 2013):
The PAC banned the media from covering the inquiry.
The National (Dec 30, 2013):
The process involved in the issuing of the K71 million contract to BPPL by the NDOH and Tenders Board was done as a matter of convenience, the PAC hearing found … PAC chairman and Bogia Member of Parliament John Hickey said the inquiry did not find any evidence of foul play as claimed by media reports and critics.
ABC News (Dec 26, 2013):
Australia has withdrawn funding for a $38 million programme that supplies medicine to PNG health centres, due to concerns about the way PNG has awarded contracts.
The National (Nov 27, 2013):
(Then) Health and HIV Minister Michael Malabag led a delegation to Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur to inspect facilities where medical kits and pharmaceutical drugs are contracted by BPPL. The delegation included Health Secretary Pascoe Kase, department officials and National Doctors Association president James Naipao.