The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Chairman Dr. Manuj Krishantha Weerasinghe, has issued a statement denying media reports claiming a recent procurement of Chlorohexidine 0.2% Mouthwash was awarded to a blacklisted supplier.
According to Dr. Weerasinghe, the tender for the mouthwash was initially awarded to the lowest bidder, a company registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). However, it was later discovered that the supplier had been listed as a defaulted supplier on October 29, 2024, for failing to make payments to the SPC.
The procurement process, handled by the Medical Supplies Division, underwent a review following this discovery, the statement said.
The procurement committee decided to cancel the order with the defaulted supplier and took steps to award the tender to a suitable bidder. By the time media reports highlighted the issue, the re-awarding process had already been completed, Dr. Weerasinghe said in the statement.
The SPC condemned what it described as false reports in the media, clarifying that the order had not proceeded with the blacklisted supplier.
Dr. Weerasinghe also stated that the SPC would pursue legal action in response to misleading media reports. (Newswire)