Lack of medicine and supplies only occurs locally
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said that in bidding and procuring drugs and medical supplies, if the institutions are adequate, at localities and units, "there are still this and that issues" in the implementation organization. Currently, this also leads to a situation of insufficient drugs and supplies for medical examination and treatment...
At Bach Mai Hospital, Associate Professor Dr. Dao Xuan Co - Hospital Director said that by the end of 2023, Bach Mai Hospital will spend nearly 4,000 billion VND to buy equipment, supplies, and drugs. At the end of 2023, the hospital won a bid for 4 magnetic resonance machines, 2 CT machines, 20 gastrointestinal endoscopy systems, a contract for ultrasound and X-ray machines to serve medical examination and treatment, completing the procurement of 7 packages. endoscopic surgical system. Basic treatment medications are sufficient.
Associate Professor Dr. Tran Minh Dien, Director of the National Children's Hospital, earlier this year, the hospital lacked cancer treatment drugs due to supply, but now 3 companies have quoted supply prices so the drug shortage has been resolved. .
The hospital does not fall into a shortage of drugs and medical supplies because the functional departments continuously check the quantity of drugs, plan for procurement, and when they see a risk of drug shortages, they must develop a plan to choose them. selecting contractors; After about 30-90 days, the medicine will be available. In some situations, hospitals are allowed to buy more than 30% to avoid drug shortages. While waiting for a new bid, there will still be drugs available for use in a few months.
A series of solutions to overcome the shortage of drugs and supplies
According to Deputy Minister Do Xuan Tuyen, recognizing this problem, the Ministry of Health has proposed a solution, advising the National Assembly and the Government, and coordinating with the Ministries of Finance, Planning and Investment. related to promulgating Circulars, Decrees and Laws.
The Ministry also proactively issued a Circular under the Law providing guidance on the field of purchasing medical supplies; price negotiation drug list; list of drugs for centralized bidding; Regulations on drug bidding at medical facilities, the Ministry has given specific instructions on construction steps and processes...
The Ministry of Health is also coordinating with units to complete two very important Law projects: the Pharmacy Law (amended) and the Health Insurance Law (amended) expected to be submitted to the National Assembly in October 2024.
The documents also have many outstanding new features such as: Allowing the use of 1 quote or allowing the highest quote suitable to the financial capacity, expertise, and needs of units, localities, and institutions. health department (previously there had to be 3 quotes).
In addition, being appointed a contractor in urgent cases to maintain regular spending activities; The Bidding Law is implemented in cases of emergency patient care according to the provisions of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment (if any), including bidding packages for consulting services, non-consulting services, drugs and chemicals. , testing supplies, medical equipment, components, accessories, vehicles, construction and installation due to unexpected needs, there are no substitute items and must be used to ensure the health and life of people sick; Medical facilities are given the option to purchase drugs to immediately purchase up to 30% of the quantity under the contract that is not yet available.
