Procurement Agency Research Articles

The response to substandard and falsified medical products in francophone sub-Saharan African countries: weaknesses and opportunities

Assuring the quality of medical products manufactured, imported or distributed in francophone sub-Saharan Africa remains a challenge, despite positive signals like the growing engagement in the benchmarking of regulatory authorities and -particularly- in the establishment of the African Medicines Agency. In this short report, we describe the existing activities to prevent, detect and respond to substandard and falsified products (SF) in this region, either through African multilateral organizations and initiatives led by the World Health Organization, or through the contribution of other stakeholders, such as local universities and procurement agencies. We underline that these emerging local stakeholders may play a pivotal role to guide and inform the national regulatory authorities about the prevalence and patterns of SF medical products, complementing the market surveillance and control, and building awareness of the importance of pharmaceutical quality assurance for public health.

Collaboration and coordination strategies for a multi-level AI-enabled healthcare supply chain under disaster

ABSTRACT Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based applications have been rising across the healthcare supply chain. Successful AI implementation requires proper collaboration among healthcare supply chain members. However, high investment associated with AI innovation often impedes collaboration. In this context, disruption caused by the disasters like pandemics and epidemics can add more complexity. This issue has not received substantial scholarly attention. Here, we design a multi-level AI-enabled healthcare supply chain by incorporating a three-level supply chain structure with a healthcare product manufacturer, a distributor, and a procurement agency, where the manufacturer and distributor invest in AI innovation. Here, we adopt wholesale price (W) and cost-sharing (C) contracts-based mechanisms considering four scenarios WW, WC, CW, and CC, to devise the three-level AI-enabled healthcare supply chain members’ collaboration and coordination strategies with and without disruption. Adopting a Stackelberg game-theoretic approach, we determine the supply chain members’ optimal AI innovation efforts, prices, and profits for all scenarios. We demonstrate the dominance of one scenario over other for the supply chain members’ decisions and profits and propose a scenario ranking framework. We also investigate the impact of the disruption cost-sharing between the manufacturer and retailer, the disruption probabilities, and AI innovation success on the supply chain decisions

Vaccine traceability: Key learnings from the supply chain initiative by manufacturers from emerging countries

The use of global standards, and the placement of barcodes and data matrix codes on vaccine labels and other levels of packaging are crucial elements for the traceability of finished vaccine products. Vaccine manufacturers are committed to improving health through their products, as vaccine production offers opportunities that can be leveraged to benefit immunization systems. In 2019 the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) created the Supply Chain Initiative aimed at prioritize and explore traceability opportunities; concomitantly procurement agencies announced traceability requirements for vaccine global supply. Vaccine traceability brings benefits including supply chain reliability and safety through enhanced product movement visibility, and a reduction of falsified and expired vaccines circulating in the supply chain. DCVMN has coordinated the development and implementation of global traceability standards, at both primary and secondary vaccine packaging levels, to encourage and enable sharing these experiences. Six pilot studies in four different countries showed successful implementation, and constituted part of larger vaccine traceability work within the respective organizations. The main findings from these pilot studies indicated that stepwise approaches to the adoption of traceability standards allowed vaccine manufacturers to learn by doing, initially with lower risk, and to spread their investments over time. Because the value of traceability is in its scale of adoption and the use of the data, it remains important for all stakeholders to engage in and prioritize the journey of vaccine traceability, but also to suitably manage the financial risks. The DCVMN Supply Chain Initiative has demonstrated that its members are committed to driving supply system changes that benefit immunization, while recognizing that supply chain traceability is part of a larger healthcare ecosystem and should be adopted by countries and immunization programmes as well.

How to increase the uptake of circular public procurement? Lessons learned from local authorities in Sweden

PurposeCircular procurement is assumed to foster innovation and influence demand for and supply of goods through criteria setting and dialogue with suppliers. However, even in countries placed at the forefront of sustainability practices such as Sweden, examples of procurement that can truly be considered to be circular are rare. This paper aims to examine circular public procurement practices in a selection of Swedish municipalities and regions through the lens of the Advocacy Coalition Framework. The authors propose a categorisation of municipalities by circular procurement uptake and identify factors that support the acceleration of the circular transition in Sweden.Design/methodology/approachUsing the key informant approach, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with employees of seven municipalities, one region and one external procurement agency, as well as seven suppliers of various sizes. The authors also analysed procurement documents received from municipalities. Participating organisations represented a variety of Swedish local government structures and local conditions.FindingsThe authors proposed a categorisation of circular procurement uptake. Notably, beginners differ from leaders in circular procurement, most importantly by the level of flexibility policy brokers have within their organisations and by policy brokers’ ability to accommodate changes that materialise between existing organisational structures and set routines.Social implicationsThe fragmented uptake of circular procurement poses a challenge for local businesses interested in implementing circular business models. It also both highlights and exacerbates inequalities in access to resources between sparsely populated, rural municipalities and more urbanised areas.Originality/valueDespite existing national government guidelines for the circular economy transition in Sweden, circular procurement is not fully realised at the local level. In this paper, the authors examine the Swedish experience with circular procurement and propose several steps to improve the uptake of circular procurement by the public authorities. The authors' findings concerning the role of policy brokers may well be generalised to similar socio-cultural contexts.

IMPLEMENTATION OF E-GOVERNMENT ON THE E-ORDER SYSTEM TO INCREASE MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN SOUTH JAKARTA

Study this aims for identify and understand urgency management application e-Order or online market for goods and services public for speed up SMEs growth in DKI Jakarta Province. The program aims to increase growth economy and opportunity work for SMESs DKI Jakarta Province with provide marketing online. Website development is one of the political str(web and development strategy e-government national , that is implementation systematic development _ through realistic and measurable steps _ Government website development area is the first from four layers ( web presence , interaction , transaction and transformation / integration ) within stages development Indonesian e-government for possible Indonesian people with easy access information government area and participate in development Indonesian democracy through online media. This study use approach qualitative through interviews and studies library, this showing several thing that is first System application e-Order this is breakthrough innovative BPPBJ (Service Agency Procurement Goods and Services) Government DKI Jakarta Province Second, System Application e-Order is connecting application _ activity purchase SMES products (as supplier) with agency government province in DKI Jakarta.System building e-Order this is form cooperation Among Provincial government DKI Jakarta with citizen. DKI Jakarta residents can participate direct in the development process Technology Industry 4.0 DKI citizens must be IT -based care with IT progress, SMEs can develop marketing and owning quality more product _ fine, however permanent notice factor effective and efficient from use system e-government.

E-GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTATION IN THE E-ORDER SYSTEM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMEs IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE CITY OF SOUTH JAKARTA

Study this aims for identify and understand urgency management application e-Order or online market for goods and services public for speed up SMES growth in DKI Jakarta Province. The program aims to increase growth economy and opportunity work for SMESs DKI Jakarta Province with provide marketing online. Website development is one of the political strategy and development strategy e-government national , that is implementation systematic development _ through realistic and measurable steps Government website development area is the first from four layers ( web presence , interaction , transaction and transformation / integration ) within stages development Indonesian e-government for possible Indonesian people with easy access information government area and participate in development Indonesian democracy through online media. Study this use approach qualitative through interviews and studies library, Study this showing several Thing that is first System application e-Order this is breakthrough innovative BPPBJ (Service Agency Procurement Goods and Services) Government DKI Jakarta Province Second, System Application e-Order is connecting application _ activity purchase SMES products (as supplier) with agency government province in DKI Jakarta.

Analysis of Digital Supply Chain Management in E-procurement Service Usage Using Decision Making Trial Method and Evaluation Laboratory in National Public Procurement Agency

Analysis of Digital Supply Chain Management in E-procurement Service Usage Using Decision Making Trial Method and Evaluation Laboratory in National Public Procurement Agency

Key Stakeholder Perceptions of Standard vs. Total Cost of Ownership: A Procurement Analysis for Orthopaedic-Powered Instruments.

This study compares standard procurement methodology (SPM) with total cost of ownership (TCO) methodology for the procurement of orthopaedic-powered instruments. The authors conducted semi-structured standardized interviews with key hospital procurement stakeholders following consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Of the 33 hospital procurement stakeholders interviewed, all (100%) reported that SPM would be easier to use than TCO. However, only six (18%) preferred SPM over TCO. Barriers to the adoption of TCO emerged as a theme. Creating TCO frameworks can help to simplify the process for procurement agents and facilitate its adoption in the healthcare sector.

Masalah Kebijakan Sertifikasi Benih Dan Bibit Tanaman Hutan Di Jawa Barat (Penerapan Pendekatan Advocacy Coalition Framework)

The purpose of this study is to obtain policy direction recommendations for seed source, seed and seedling certification in West Java using ACF (Advocacy Coalition Framework) approach and multiple linear regression. A key alignment of the two goals for the government is compliance with statutory or government-sponsored regulations, with the result that the stability of seed production is disrupted by suppliers. Analysis using the ACF framework has produced policy guidelines for mandatory certification of seed quality related to seed source, seed quality, and compliance with regulations issued by central governments. The objectives of the activity to certify seed sources, seed quality and seed quality in accordance with the P.3 policy were not optimally achieved. This is reflected in the prominence of those who are less active in certifying the forest products they produce.Merchant certification activity has a significant value of 0.023. Vendor certification activities are reduced due to the P.3 policy requiring local governments to have their own forest plant nurseries. Procurement and distribution agencies generally produce on a large scale when they receive

The Impact of Donor Preparation for Tissue Procurement on Postmortem Vitreous Isopropanol Concentration.

Volatile chemicals can be relevant in the determination of the cause and manner of death by forensic pathologists. Isopropanol is a secondary alcohol that is occasionally seen on postmortem toxicology testing. A series of 11 forensic autopsy cases was previously reported in which the presence of isopropanol in the vitreous humor was suspected to be due to postmortem contamination from the body preparation process for tissue procurement.In collaboration with a tissue procurement agency, donor vitreous humor was collected from one eye before body preparation for procurement and from the other eye postpreparation. The specimens underwent testing for volatile substances by headspace gas chromatography.Of the 50 cases, 8 (16%) showed statistically significant changes in the prepreparation and postpreparation isopropanol concentrations. Postpreparation isopropanol concentrations ranged from 5 to 104 mg/dL (median, 18 mg/dL). Seven of the 8 cases had undetectable prepreparation isopropanol, whereas the remaining case had a detectable prepreparation isopropanol.In conclusion, surface contamination of the decedent's body with chemicals used in body preparation can lead to the passive absorption into the body, resulting in the presence of isopropanol in postmortem toxicology samples. Forensic pathologists need to be aware of this when interpreting postmortem samples after tissue procurement.

Human shellfish poisoning: Implementation of a national surveillance program in France

Toxic algae and their toxins represent an emerging public health issue, particularly due to global warming. The toxicological mechanisms of neurotoxic phycotoxins and their human health effects have been widely described (paralytic, neurological, amnesic, and ciguateric toxins). Food poisoning by bivalve shellfish (mussels, oysters…) can cause serious or even fatal neurological disorders, as bivalves accumulate toxins by feeding on harmful algae. However, retrospective study of human shellfish poisoning highlighted the difficulties in identifying cases related to neurotoxic phycotoxins by gathering clinical and biological diagnostic confirmations on the one hand, as well as environmental contaminations on the other. To improve the collection of shellfish poisoning data, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), French Poison Control Centers (PCCs), the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer) and the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) have developed a prospective surveillance of neurotoxins from algal origin that combines monitoring of poisoning cases (clinical monitoring), of harmful algae and their toxins in shellfish production areas (environmental monitoring), as well as of toxins levels in seafood leftovers and in biological samples from poisoned subjects. This original clinical and environmental monitoring will allow us to have a more complete view of phycotoxin human exposures that are underreported, and to implement measures to protect consumers.

THE STRATEGIES OF LAGOS STATE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AGENCY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW

This paper examined the strategies put in place by Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in the implementation of public procurement policy. The paper utilised primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were collected solely through the administration of questionnaires on the respondents. The study population 1,020 comprised the staff members from ministries, and agency that monitors the implementation of procurement policy in the state, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA). Proportionate random sampling technique was used in selecting a sample size of 154 respondents representing 15% of the study population. Secondary data were obtained from books, academic journals, official document of LSPPA and the internet. Data collected were analysed using percentage, frequency, and (RII) Relative Importance Index. The results of the study showed that the strategies put in place by Lagos State Procurement Agency; such as establishment of a threshold (52.6%, rank 7th), constitution of contract performance audit committee (63%, rank 9.5th), supervision of the deliveries (69.5%, rank 9.5th), and creation of a procurement officer’s desk (57.8%, rank 8th) were not adequately substantial strategies put in place in monitoring the implementation of public procurement policy in Lagos state. Moreover, the paper revealed strategies that were adequately substantial which were put in place by Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in the implementation of public procurement law, such as composition of technical review committee (79.9%, rank 1st), appraisal of procurement plan for procuring entities (73.3%, rank 2nd), setting of fair pricing standards and benchmarks (61%, rank 6th), strategic oversight on the contracts (65.6%, rank 5th) , keeping of contractors’ database for proper identification (65.6%, rank 4th), publication of details of major contracts in the State (69.5%, rank 3rd) significantly improved accountability, proficiency, efficacy among the ministries selected. The study therefore, conclude that the strategies put in place by LSPPA, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in the implementation of public procurement law in the state is substantial, and apt which ensures that procurement law of the State is followed. It was further evident from six claims affirmation as against four claims that refuted it respectively.

Evaluation of the Performance Characteristics for SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD IgG Antibody Rapid Test Cassette (Fingerstick Whole Blood) by Comparing CLIA Test

Background: SARS-CoV-2, a branch of coronavirus, is a positive-strand RNA virus with four major proteins and several auxiliary proteins wrapped with genetic material. It mediates the invasion of the virus mainly through the binding of the S protein to host cell receptors and determines the organization of virus and host tropism. Human coronaviruses are one of the fastest-developing viruses due to their high genomic nucleotide substitution rate and recombination ability. Human coronaviruses are associated with a variety of respiratory diseases of varying severity, such as colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis. On January 30 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak caused by SARS-CoV2 constituted a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and characterized as a pandemic on March 11 2020. In an effort to expedite the availability of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) needed in public health emergencies, the WHO has opened the development of an emergency use checklist process, which aims to assist procurement agencies and Member States in deciding whether a specific IVD is suitable for use based on a minimum set of available quality, safety and performance data. IVDs with guaranteed quality, safety and performance are a key component of the overall strategy to control the pandemic.Objective: The main purpose of this evaluation report is to investigate the sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD IgG Antibody Rapid Test (Fingerstick Whole Blood) for diagnosis during COVID-19. Method: The SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD IgG Antibody Rapid Test (Fingerstick Whole Blood) is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD) in human fingerstick whole blood approximately 10 days after vaccination. Result: Through the clinical evaluation of vaccinated, unvaccinated, and virus-uninfected populations, the results show that the overall relative sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD IgG Antibody Rapid Test (Fingerstick Whole Blood) is 97.7%, the relative specificity is 99.0%, and the relative accuracy is 98.5%. Conclusion: CITEST SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD IgG Antibody Rapid Test (Fingerstick Whole Blood) is a rapid test that is a qualitative membrane-based immunoassay intended to detect IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD) in fingerstick whole blood. The product is simple to operate and has been validated against an industry leading commercial CLIA test to give results within 10 minutes of the sample being tested. A comparison of 1257 samples showed an accuracy of 98.5% and an excellent sensitivity of 97.7%. People can use the test kits to get accurate results and determine if they have antibodies in their bodies after they have been vaccinated.

Ruling the Soviet Countryside behind the Frontlines

Abstract During the Russia civil war, weak rural organs justified outside intervention in the pursuit of centralization in the form of procurement agents and food brigades to implement state grain obligations and establish Soviet authority in the Russian countryside. This study of Penza province suggests that by late 1920 the types of resources available to provincial authorities to reinforce the procurement work of local officials had expanded well beyond agents and brigades. Procurement authorities in Penza engaged in a significant effort to raise the level of institutional discipline among volost and village officials. Provincial officials, in taking significant steps to strengthen the performance of the rural procurement machinery, were better positioned to use armed force more selectively rather than primarily. Their sense of caution about the use of armed coercion was heightened by the Antonov revolt and its potential for destroying or destabilizing the local procurement apparatus as it had in Tambov. Thus, when Penza reached 105% fulfillment of its rather modest procurement quota this was not a significant procurement success as much as a bureaucratic one; provincial officials managed to enforce expectations that subordinates work well beyond their previous capacity to accomplish institutional goals while peasant resistant was kept to a manageable level. Penza province’s procurement experience suggests a more complex picture of Civil War economic management and state-peasant relations and that stable provinces, strategically situated, allowed the Bolsheviks to avoid more widespread peasant violence, driven to a great degree by large-scale forced grain requisitions in 1920–21.

Communication Activities on the Implementation of E-procurement in Indragiri Hulu Regency

This study aims to understand communication activities in implementing E-procurement in Indragiri Hulu Regency. This research is interesting in understanding communication activities in the implementation process in frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) regions. E-Procurement is an application for managing goods/services procurement data, including internet-based procurement data, designed to achieve an effective, efficient, and integrated procurement process. This research is qualitative research to explore communication activities in implementing E-Procurement. The subjects of this study amounted to 8 people involved in the Implementation of e-procurement. Data analysis was carried out in three steps: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The study results show that communication activities occur in 4 stages of the auction process carried out by the Electronic Procurement Agency. This process involves regional apparatus organizations in Indragiri Hulu Regency with suppliers who provide goods and services registered in the electronic procurement system in Indragiri Hulu Regency. The process of procuring goods starts with a proposal process from each Regional Apparatus Organization based on their respective Performance Plans to carry out the bidding process. The auction process is carried out by a working group team formed by the Head of LPSE, which suppliers of goods and services will follow. The Working Group team will evaluate the documents proposed by the supplier and determine the tender winner.

Determinants Influencing Supply Chain Compliance with Public Procurement: A Case Study for Kiambu County, Kenya.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine the variables influencing Kenya's SCM compliance with public procurement. 
 Methodology: To answer the research questions, an exploratory design was used in the study. Supply chain management directors from Kiambu, Kenya's central government departments participated in the study. Respondent information was gathered through personal interviews. Structured questionnaires with both open-ended and closed-ended questions served as the tool. Quantitative approaches were used to analyze the study's data. The results were analyzed using a Likert scale and SPSS software. The cause-and-effect connection between the dependent and independent variables was ascertained using regression analysis. The information was presented using tables, graphs, and charts. 
 Findings: Using SPSS, the information gathered from seven of the eight respondents who were specifically targeted was analyzed and presented using tables, charts, frequencies, and percentages. 87.5 percent of those who responded did so. Compared to the predicted reply rate of 75%, this response rate was quite high. The majority of the targeted respondents returned the questionnaire, which allowed the study's goal to be met. 
 Conclusion: According to the respondents, the Act and regulation's wording and clarity should have been enhanced. The majority of respondents agreed that seminars and training sessions are hardly offered. 
 Recommendation: It is advised that PPOA supply more copies of the Act and regulation to every procurement officer in every public procurement agency based on the findings of the research. To make reading more appealing, PPOA could adopt friendlier wording in the copies.

Reflections on the Canadian Bleeding Disorders Registry: Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives


 The Canadian Bleeding Disorders Registry (CBDR) has become the national registry for comprehensive care and research in hemophilia in Canada with patient, clinical, and research module connectivity.
 The CBDR has served as a robust resource to inform epidemiology of disease, burden of disease, and disease changes and variation over time as new treatment modalities are introduced.
 Information on the utilization of blood products to treat hemophilia has and can be retrieved and used by Canadian blood product procurement agencies to inform decision-making for past and future purchases.
 The successful multistakeholder coordination and alignment achieved over decades with the development and function of the CBDR is an exemplar that could be extended to other rare disease areas.

Landscape analysis of NTD diagnostics and considerations on the development of a strategy for regulatory pathways.

Access to quality-assured, accurate diagnostics is critical to ensure that the 2021–2030 neglected tropical disease (NTD) road map targets can be achieved. Currently, however, there is limited regulatory oversight and few quality assurance mechanisms for NTD diagnostic tools. In attempting to address such challenges and the changing environment in regulatory requirements for diagnostics, a landscape analysis was conducted, to better understand the availability of NTD diagnostics and inform future regulatory frameworks. The list of commercially available diagnostics was compiled from various sources, including WHO guidance, national guidelines for case detection and management, diagnostic target product profiles and the published literature. The inventory was analyzed according to diagnostic type, intended use, regulatory status, and risk classification. To estimate the global need and size of the market for each type of diagnostic, annual procurement data were collected from WHO, procurement agencies, NGOs and international organizations, where available and global disease prevalence. Expert interviews were also conducted to ensure a better understanding of how diagnostics are procured and used. Of 125 diagnostic tools included in this analysis, rapid diagnostic tools accounted for 33% of diagnostics used for NTDs and very few diagnostics had been subjected to regulatory assessment. The number of tests needed for each disease was less than 1 million units per annum, except in the case of two diseases, suggesting limited commercial value. Despite the nature of the market, and presumed insufficient return on commercial investment, acceptable levels of assurance on performance, quality and safety of diagnostics are still required. Priority actions include setting up an agile, interim, stepwise risk assessment mechanism, in particular for diagnostics of lower risk, in order to support national NTD programmes and their partners with the selection and procurement of the diagnostics needed to control, eliminate and eradicate NTDs.

Purchasing medicines for the public sector: Evaluation of the performance of centralised procurement in Portugal

The study aimed to evaluate centralised procurement of medicines (CPM) in Portugal. Data were collected through different methods, including a review of the literature and (procurement) documents and an analysis of selected bids. Thirty-seven face-to-face interviews with representatives of public authorities, users (hospitals and regional health administrations), patient associations and pharmaceutical industry were held in Portugal in Q1/2020. CPM has contributed to improved transparency in processes and governance, to increased equity in access to medicines across the country and to lower workload for some users. The findings of the impact on medicine prices and availability are mixed. The benefits of CPM are undermined by some gaps: Lengthy, bureaucratic processes have resulted in delayed availability of medicines at the beginning of a year and in coping strategies of hospitals such as parallel individual procurements. The list of active ingredients under CPM has not been updated since 2016. The procurement agency does not routinely perform market consultations. Key performance indicators for CPM are lacking. Portuguese policy-makers are urged to develop an updated procurement strategy to provide guidance and clarity on the objectives of CPM, the role of the procurement agency and further authorities and key performance indicators.

Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on public procurement in Georgia (On the example of simplified procurement)

Georgian public procurement accounts for a significant share of the country's gross domestic product each year. One of the goals of public procurement policy is to reduce the share of simplified procurement in total procurement. Crises are particularly conducive to the implementation of simplified procurement to address emergencies, which in turn carry the risk of corruption and less transparency. That is why studying the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on simplified procurement is interesting and topical. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on simplified procurement by 2020. The theoretical-methodological basis of the research is the analysis of official statistics, official reports, various normative acts, and the latest scientific publications. The unified electronic system of the LEPL State Procurement Agency is used to achieve certain research objectives. The findings and recommendations will be interesting and useful for any stakeholder, especially for procuring organizations. Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic; Public procurement; Simplified procurement;