Cancer Day: Public Procurement Law Must Be Changed Urgently, Patients Must Receive Cytostatics

In the week marking Cancer Day, February 4, the Association of Innovative Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in BiH issued a statement. From this Association, they say they consider it their duty to give an opinion on one of the most important issues concerning cancer patients, Patria reports.

On the occasion of the shortage of cytostatics, as well as other medicines from essential lists, the Association of Innovative Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UIPL) wishes to inform the public that the problems that have arisen in supply are not the result of the actions or inactions of its members, but are the result of a series of systemic circumstances/shortcomings, which the Association of Innovative Pharmaceutical Manufacturers has been pointing out since its founding.

"Most innovative companies have been operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1997 and have always fulfilled their obligations in accordance with BiH laws and the duties and guarantees undertaken in public procurement processes. Never, in these 20 years, have we treated the BiH market and patients as less significant than any other market or other patients," said Ana Petrović, director of UIPL.

Innovative pharmaceutical manufacturers have not contributed to the existing problem of medicine shortages, primarily cytostatics. The fact that innovative companies in BiH take this market very seriously and significantly is confirmed by the very founding of our Association, which has existed for almost 2 years, Petrović adds.

The Public Procurement Law in BiH treats the procurement of medicines as the procurement of any other goods, which is why we have repeatedly emphasized the necessity of adopting certain by-laws and regulations to enable the best and highest quality availability of medicines to patients.

Also, the non-application of certain selection mechanisms within the law itself - such as the technical/professional and financial capacity of the bidder, and the correct interpretation of the term "economically most advantageous tender" (paragraph 2, Article 64 of the PPL) are just some of the elements that can lead to problems in the supply of medicines to hospitals, and thus to endangering the health of patients.

We take this opportunity to invite all competent state institutions as well as other participants in the medicine procurement process to organize a round table to discuss all the shortcomings and interpretations in the application of the Public Procurement Law in BiH.

Through its previous engagement and constant commitment to finding solutions that would enable all patients in BiH access to innovative and appropriate therapies, UIPL strives to be an equal partner to all institutions and associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina whose priority is quality healthcare and patient well-being.

The shortage of cytostatics and new innovative therapies (we note that a new innovative drug has not been included on the list of medicines in BiH for more than five years) are just some of the weaknesses of the system that UIPL has previously pointed out. As always, the Association makes itself available to all institutions and agencies with its professional and expert advice, in order to achieve a common goal, which is better treatment of citizens and equal access to medicines throughout the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.