Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the procurement of meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccines for pilgrims and overseas job seekers under an arrangement involving Border Health Services-Pakistan. The review follows a legal challenge by pharmaceutical companies and allegations concerning procurement procedures and pricing.
According to a Prime Minister’s Office notification described by Dawn on October 18, a five-member committee led by the Cabinet Division secretary will examine the legal basis for the public-private partnership arrangement, the bidding process and compliance with public procurement requirements. The panel has been asked to report its findings and recommendations within 48 hours.
Its membership includes the director general of the Intelligence Bureau, the chief executive of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, a representative of the attorney general and the managing director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, who will serve as member-secretary.
The inquiry is expected to review bid documents, vaccine quantities, evaluation criteria, payment terms, publication requirements and the financial implications of the arrangement. It may identify responsibility and recommend corrective measures if irregularities are established. The creation of an inquiry does not itself establish misconduct.
Seven pharmaceutical companies have challenged the procurement process in the Islamabad High Court, alleging that competition was restricted and procurement rules were not followed. The allegations remain contested. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and Border Health Services have maintained that applicable rules were followed and said they would respond in court.
The dispute also concerns reported price differences. According to the allegations cited in the report, the previous arrangement cost approximately Rs1,250 per dose per person, while the new arrangement would cost about Rs4,500 per pilgrim. Those figures are disputed claims in the procurement controversy, not independently verified like-for-like prices. They should not be presented as a confirmed increase for every traveller.
The vaccines are relevant to people travelling for pilgrimage and employment, making the eventual outcome significant beyond procurement policy. At present, the available reporting does not establish that vaccination services have been suspended or that travellers must take any new action.
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- https://www.dawn.com/news/2037879/pm-orders-probe-into-vaccine-procurement-for-pilgrims