Organisational Development & Institutional Alliances

The ECCB, the monetary authority for the stable Eastern Caribbean dollar, facilitated the prompt payment of the foreign exchange to suppliers at no additional cost to participating countries.  The formal country-based committees of the OECS/PPS, ensure participatory decision-making and commitment by Ministries of Health.  The OECS/PPS Policy Board comprises Ministers of Health (assisted by their Permanent Secretaries), the OECS Director General, the ECCB representative and the OECS/PPS Managing Director; the board exercises overall responsibility for the policy directives of the Unit. 

Two sub-committees report to the Policy Board: the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Tenders Sub-Committees.  The TAC comprises a senior doctor and the Supplies Purchasing Officer from each Ministry.  The Tenders Sub-Committee is a subset of TAC and includes only the Supplies Officer from each country.  OECS/PPS’ management is part of the sub-committees; the Policy Board and the Sub-Committees meet annually and are chaired on the principal of alphabetical rotation by host country.  These formal relationships are central to the participation and ownership of OECS/PPS’ constituent countries.  In addition, the collective decision-making of the Tenders Sub-Committee reduces the possible influence by drug company representatives on the adjudication process. 

The tendered items are extracted from the OECS/PPS’ Regional Formulary and Therapeutics Manual which is reviewed annually by the OECS/PPS Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).  The Tenders Sub-Committee, reviews bid offers and awards contracts to successful suppliers.  The pooled procurement list represents large volume and/or high cost items for which there is a consistently high demand.