The Ministry of Health abolishes regulations that hinder the procurement of medical equipment.
Regulations requiring units to refer to the winning bid prices for medical equipment within the previous 12 months; the planned price of medical equipment must not exceed the winning bid price, have been revoked.
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen has just signed Circular No. 14/2022/TT-BYT, repealing a number of previously issued legal documents.
One of these regulations is said to create difficulties for healthcare facilities when bidding for and purchasing medicines and equipment.
Specifically, Clause 3, Article 8 of Circular No. 14/2020/TT-BYT stipulates: "Medical facilities must refer to the winning bid prices of medical equipment within the previous 12 months; the planned price of medical equipment must not be higher than the winning bid price...".
Regarding the shortcomings in regulations for bidding on medicines, medical equipment, and supplies, many hospital leaders argue that these regulations are not in line with market price principles.
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The pressure is always immense for healthcare workers. (Photo: Thanh Cuong) |
"This is practically impossible due to the current inflation situation. For high-quality medicines and equipment, manufacturers/distributors will not participate in tenders if they do not have a reasonable profit margin, leading to 'failed bidding' for many items, or if they do participate, their bids will be higher than the planned price and will result in 'failed bidding'. Low-quality, low-priced items risk filling this gap," a leader of a central-level hospital shared with VietNamNet.
According to Circular 14/2022 ofMinistry of HealthAs recently enacted, the determination of the price for procurement packages of medical equipment shall be carried out in accordance with the Law on Bidding No. 43/2013/QH13 and Decree No. 63/2014/NĐ-CP.
For medical equipment procurement packages where the contractor selection plan has been approved and the package price is determined according to Clause 3, Article 8 of Circular No. 14/2020 before December 6th, the medical facility shall continue to implement the approved contractor selection plan or carry out procedures to adjust the package price in accordance with the Law on Bidding No. 43/2013/QH13, Decree No. 63/2014/ND-CP, and relevant guiding documents on the construction of package prices issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
