Laws have to be followed: Official

By REBECCA KUKU
GOVERNMENT laws have to be followed in the purchase and distribution of medicine, according to Health secretary Pascoe Kase.
He told The National yesterday that people should know that PNG had its own procurement legislation which the procurement for goods and services must comply with.
“The Department of Health therefore must comply with the Public Finance Management Act and the National Procurement Act to procure medicines,” he said.
“Under these laws, the Secretary for Health does not approve all contracts under review.
“The Health Department, through the two established technical evaluation committees, does the initial technical assessment, then make recommendations to the Central Supplies Tenders Board (now called the National Procurement Commission) for approval of contract up to the value of K10 million.
“Where the value is over K10 million, the CSTB makes recommendations to the National Executive Council (NEC) for approval.
“Legal clearance on all contracts is given by the State Solicitor.
“The Head of State then signs contracts based on advice from the CSTB and NEC.”
Kase said the procurement and distribution of medicine and pharmaceutical drugs did not only involve the Health Department.
He thanked Public Accounts Committee chairman Sir John Pundari and committee members for conducting the inquiry into the procurement and distribution of medical supplies.
“We are now able to talk on matters that we are not able to make in normal situations,” he said.
“But under the privileges of Parliament, we can freely talk to address challenges faced and assist with recommendations for improvement in the procurement and distribution,” he said.
He also welcomed Sir John’s remark that the PAC was “about ensuring that we give the public confidence that public officials are accountable in the discharge of their mandated responsibilities”.