Ministry of Health: URA is used to political parasitism and deceives the public

The Ministry of Health ruled on accusations of the Budva GP URA board that parents were forced to take their children to Dubrovnik for vaccination. They assessed the statement of this political party, which announced itself after the relevant ministry and the Institute for Public Health lent 8.000 doses of the vaccine against heptatis B, as deceiving the public.

"When you get used to political parasitism, but also the constant need to be present in the media and intrigue the public, then it is not surprising that GP URA announced, and even less surprising their complete absence of logic and social responsibility, and sensibility when they dare to comment anything that is of interest to the health of citizens. Dear citizens, vaccines against hepatitis B are in health centers, which was the task of the health system, which we fulfilled despite numerous obstacles, and we welcome that GP URA welcomes our efforts. And since the health system is staffed by responsible people who take care of citizens' health and do not engage in petty politics, we would like to point out the procedure and the activities carried out," the Ministry of Health's regulation states.

They explain that when it comes to the procurement of vaccines, in Montenegro there is a clear and legally defined procedure, so in accordance with the Health Protection Program, each health institution annually prepares a plan of vaccine needs and submits it to the Institute for Public Health, which sublimates and sends the list Montefarma, which is in charge of procuring them.

"In the case of procurement in regular situations, procurement is carried out on the basis of public tenders in accordance with the law on public procurement. In accordance with the procedures, Montefarm initiated the procurement procedure for the necessary vaccines, however, as part of the public call, there were no valid offers for vaccines against hepatitis B The only submitted offer for this vaccine had a delivery deadline that was not in accordance with the call (longer than required) and had to be declared invalid. The tender for that vaccine failed even after the third attempt, because there were no valid offers in the public call. , and the only submitted offer in the last tender had a delivery deadline of mid-October, which was not in accordance with the invitation", the relevant ministry points out.

They add that the tender procedures were announced on time and the necessary financial resources were provided, and they especially emphasize that the procurement period was extended to three years in order to ensure the attractiveness of our small market.

"In order to prevent a possible shortage, the Ministry of Health ordered the pharmacy health institution "Montefarm" to initiate the procedure of emergency procurement of hepatitis B vaccine for children and adults, which Monefarm did as an emergency procedure.

The lack of this vaccine in Europe was also reflected in the submission of offers for Montenegro. This only illustrates the situation on the global market, not only for vaccines, but also for other drugs and medical devices, where all global shortages are first reflected in small markets that, due to their size, cannot cope equally when providing and reserving drugs, vaccines and medical devices with the markets of large countries and developed economies.

We must also emphasize that developed countries are not only large markets, but are often ready to pay prices many times higher than market prices in order to provide themselves with anticipated needs, as well as strategic reserves. This kind of behavior. not only is it not economically justified, but it is morally and ethically unacceptable, because in this way small markets such as ours and the health needs of our insured are being threatened", they state from this government department.

Precisely aware of these obstacles, as they point out, the Ministry of Health set out to find a new emergency solution for Montenegro, and using the possibilities of international agreements, initiated and signed a contract on the emergency loan of hepatitis B vaccine with the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

"Of course, in accordance with the Law on Medicines and Medical Devices, which defines that the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (CALIMS) can register a drug only if it is intended for the European Union market, which ensured us the supply of quality. With this urgent action, we enabled the vaccine, despite the obstacles we have encountered, will already be in Montenegro and distributed to Health Centers. And finally, a message for GP URA: if you already care so much about vaccination coverage and zealously follow our vaccination campaigns and calls, we suggest that you inform yourself about the benefits of vaccination and to participate in the campaign with all social actors, because it is in the interest of all of us, all citizens of Montenegro. There are enough vaccines," said the ministry.