Dear Editor,
Response to letter from Che Mailula dated October 22 2011.
1. The letter entitled GEMS tender 'wrongly awarded' published on 22 October 2011 relates to GEMS use of a designated service provider (DSP) to supply chronic medicine and antiretrovirals to beneficiaries.
2. In response to the assertions made in the letter under reference, we trust that the following information will clarify the matter:
a. The Scheme’s mandate is to provide public service employees with access to healthcare cover that is efficient, cost-effective and equitable while affording additional choices to those employees that wish to purchase more extensive cover.
b. The Scheme introduced a DSP arrangement for chronic medicine in 2006 as it is an efficient, accessible and cost effective means of providing chronic medicine to the beneficiaries of the Scheme. Under the GEMS DSP arrangement for chronic medicine, members have their medicines delivered to them at a destination of their choice and without any additional charges in respect of co-payments, levies or surcharges related to dispensing fees that exceed the dispensing fees provided for by GEMS. The DSP arrangement is in keeping with the Scheme’s statutory obligations and the policy mandate to members.
c. The Scheme’s decision to use the GEMS chronic medicine DSP for the delivery of antiretrovirals with effect from 1 July 2011 was taken to improve beneficiaries’ access to antiretrovirals, ensure the availability of the medicines, promote compliance and contain costs both for members and the Scheme. The DSP arrangement also provides certainty on the fees charged.
d. An extensive communication campaign to members by means of telephone calls, letters, SMS and emails followed the Scheme’s decision. Over 90% of GEMS members who are being treated for HIV chose to make use of the highly convenient courier service provided by the DSP.
e. The procurement of services by GEMS, including the appointment of a DSP for chronic medicine, is conducted in accordance with the Scheme’s Supply Chain Management Policy and future tenders for this service will be issued accordingly. To date, the outcome of all tenders have been certified by an auditor.
f. The DSP arrangement does not apply in respect of acute medicine. Beneficiaries may obtain their acute medicine from any person duly authorised and registered to dispense medicine. This is noteworthy when one considers the large number of new medical scheme beneficiaries which GEMS has brought into the medical scheme sector (approximately 850 000 beneficiaries).
Yours sincerely
Dr Eugene Watson
Principal Officer
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