Official denies claims that Borneo obtain sub-standard, fake medicines

LOCAL firm Borneo Pacific Pharmaceutical Ltd (BPPL) denies claims that medicinal supplies procured by the company were substandard or fake.
Chairman Sir Martin Poh stressed that the firm knew the quality of the drugs it brought into the country.
He was firm yesterday amid reports alleging that the medical supplies procured were fake and that the contracts it was awarded last month illegal.
In a statement, Sir Martin said: “In August this year, Borneo Pacific Pharmaceutical Ltd (BPPL) was awarded two contracts for the supply of Beta Lactam Antibiotics Drugs and the provision for the supply of 100 per cent health centre and aid post kits throughout Papua New Guinea.
“Since the award of this contract, there have been numerous reports alleging that medicinal supplies procured by the company are substandard and/or fake and the contracts are illegal.
“BPPL categorically denies the allegations made without substantive evidence to prove such claims.
“The National Doctors Association (NDA) levelled similar allegations against BPPL after it was awarded a similar contract in 2013.
“Consequently, a team including representatives from the NDA, and National Department of Health (NDoH) visited the two factories in China that BPPL imported the medical kits from. A report of that fact-finding mission concluded that Borneo’s arrangement with the North China Pharmaceutical Group Corp (NCPC) is certified and internationally recognised.
“NCPC also exports pharmaceutical drugs to Europe, USA, India and Africa which include 80 countries and regions. It is also the first company in China to obtain the ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification. The manufacturers are recognised by the World Health Organisation and Unicef.
“BPPL is not the only supplier to procure medicinal supplies from North China Pharmaceutical Group Corp; the international Dispensary Association (IDA) also sources from NCPC.
“BPPL started operations in 1996, registering as a pharmaceutical company in PNG. It has since had a long association with the NDoH, private hospitals and other pharmaceutical suppliers in the country.
“A supplier and distributor of health centre kits and aid post kits since 2000, the World Health Organisation (WHO) engaged a consultant in 2008 to review the content of these kits.
“It must also be noted that medicinal products supplied to NDoH by local suppliers from companies or manufacturers from abroad are all prequalified by the NDoH-based on the documentation supplied by agencies.
“BPPL also attained ISO 9001: 2015 accreditation in 2014.
“Recently, BPPL was requested by the Public Accounts Committee to submit documents related the award of a contract in 2013 and, it did, yesterday (Wednesday). A similar inquiry by the PAC was conducted in 2014.
“A national company, Borneo is committed to the best interest of the PNG health sector. BPPL has also partnered with the community-supporting sporting organisations, churches, hospitals, the PNG Medical Society Medical Society Symposium and the Kidney Foundation of Papua New Guinea.”