In the Official Gazette No. 29496 of March 16, 20202, Executive Decree 26 of March 15, 2022 was published, which establishes the regulations for joint or unilateral purchases of the Social Security Fund (CSS) and the Ministry of Health (Minsa ) of medicines when a critical shortage of drugs and medicines is declared.
This type of shortage is one that when there is a “shortage of a drug implies a risk to the health and life of people.”
The regulation allows an expedited procedure for the purchase of medicines, complying with the provisions of Law 1 of January 10, 2001, and its modifications contemplated in Law 97 of October 4, 2019, reported the Presidency of the Republic.
The Decree takes effect from this Wednesday, and contains an Annex that establishes all the steps to follow to buy medicines in Panama or abroad, when there is a critical shortage, which will help citizens, especially patients with chronic diseases, get your meds.
The Social Security Fund and the Minsa will have the power to make unilateral purchases of medicines or pharmaceutical products when the Executive declares their critical shortage. Then, each entity will establish the technical specifications that will govern the authorized unilateral purchase, based on the needs registered by its health facilities.
After finishing the acquisition process, the entities will publish in the electronic system of Public Procurement PanamaCompra, a detailed report of the contracting carried out, within a term of 30 business days after the contractual object has been fulfilled.
