Minister Moyo speaks on drug supply allegations

Drax International which made headlines in most sections of the media has not yet received any payment from the government for the Covid-19 consignment which was initially pegged at almost US$ 1million and the cost has since been reviewed to US$ 600 392 in line with declining global prices as a result of high production in Covid 19 personal protective equipment,Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo has said.

Minister Moyo’s remarks follow malicious and deregatory claims from some sections of the media that Government had already paid US$987 720 to Drax International, despite the fact that its prices were inflated and unreasonable.

Addressing journalists yesterday, Minister Moyo articulated that no payment had been made to Drax International, he reiterated that price reviews where made since the initial prices were in exorbitantly charged just to make profit out of the deadly Covid pandemic and the grounding of most airlines resulting in operational airlines charging from US$18 and US$ 25 per kilogramme.

“Drax has not yet been paid for what it supplied as negotiations in terms of pricing are still ongoing”, said Minister Moyo.

Minister Moyo articulated that,” following the negotiations which were done between the Ministry of Health and Drax International represantative, they reached a consensus that the initial price be reviewed to US $600 392″.

“During their initial quotation, most companies had closed globally and if opened, they had skeleton staff to ensure that social distances were observed in line with the WHO recommendations on managing Covid-19″, said Minister Moyo.

Minister Moyo did not mince his words when he said “the demand for the Covid 19 products has became very high worldwide and still continued to be very high as the populace is still mandated to wear masks and frequently use hand sanitisers”.

The spike in demand led higher prices for anything related to Covid-19, while some countries had banned the exportation of products related to the pandemic, leaving Zimbabwe with nowhere to get products at a time when it was critical to move with speed to procure them so that in the event of a major outbreak, the country would be prepared.

However, since the time Drax International had been tasked to supply personal protective equipment, prices have been drastically declining, and reopening of some companies has led to fairly low prices although freight charges remained high since most airlines are still grounded.