DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Director General Health Services Dr Muhammad Saleem being Chairman of the Medicine Coordination Cell has strongly condemned the misleading portrayal of the Peshawar High Court’s decision circulating on social media and in some sections of the media. He clarified that reports claiming the cancellation of the entire Medicine Coordination Cell (MCC) procurement process for the fiscal year 2024-25 are false and baseless.
Dr Muhammad Saleem stated that out of 1,400 items advertised for procurement, only 15 items awarded to M/S Frontier Dextrose Limited (Respondent No. 6) have been ordered for re-tendering by the honorable court. These specific items were already under a stay order since November 19, 2024, and no supplies have been made to any health facility during this period.
He further emphasized that the procurement process has been carried out with complete transparency, in accordance with advertised tender documents, approved standards (BSDs), pharmaceutical quality requirements, and relevant laws including the Drug Act 1976, DRAP Act 2012, and the KP Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (KP-PPRA) rules.
Dr Saleem explained that the misinterpretation of the court order is misleading. The court has not ordered the cancellation of the entire MCC procurement; instead, it has only directed re-tendering of items awarded to one company. The spread of misinformation on social media suggesting otherwise is contrary to facts.
The procurement process was conducted under strict oversight by designated committees comprising around 70 professionals including medical experts, administrative heads, and regulatory officials. Every stage of procurement followed rigorous quality assurance measures aligned with national and international standards.
He highlighted that the Department of Health contracts only with manufacturers or importers who qualify under applicable laws. Companies that fail to meet legal and technical criteria are disqualified. Even after awarding the contracts, each batch of medicine is subject to laboratory testing before it is used in any health facility. Any medicine found substandard is dealt with strictly under the Drug Act and DRAP regulations.
For FY 2024-25, the procurement process began with the advertisement of 1,400 essential medicine items to meet the healthcare needs of KP’s population.
This was done with the goal of acquiring quality medicines from reputable companies at competitive prices. Throughout the process, full opportunity was provided to aggrieved bidders to present their cases before the procurement authorities and KP-PPRA to ensure transparency and adherence to rules.
Dr Saleem also pointed out that the petition in question was filed by a resident of District Swabi who had no direct connection with the tender process, nor is he enlisted as a manufacturer, importer, or drug distributor with DRAP or the Drug Control Authority in KP.
His objection pertained to only two products awarded to M/S Frontier Dextrose Limited, which were also flagged by Punjab’s procurement authority. The court, in its decision, has only ordered the re-tendering of those specific products.
It is important to note that M/S Frontier Dextrose Limited was awarded only 15 out of 1,400 items under the 2024-25 tender. These items have remained under a stay order since November 2024, and no supply has been made to any public health facility to date.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department remains committed to transparency, regulatory compliance, and maintaining the highest standards in medicine procurement. All decisions are being made within the legal and regulatory framework to ensure uninterrupted and quality healthcare services to the people of the province.
