Montenegro’s Minister of Health, Mr Kenan Hrapović, signed today an agreement which stipulates that our country will get guaranteed doses of COVID-19 vaccine once it is produced. Montenegro will pay €8.84 per dose.
The estimated value of the procurement is around €2.163.000.
“I want to inform you that the Government considered and adopted the Information on the conclusion of the agreement on the obligation according to the model of optional purchased of COVID-19 vaccine at yesterday’s session. I have just signed the Agreement. A total of €646.000 advance will be paid today”, Minister said.
Minister explained that by signing this agreement, Montenegro had acceded to COVAC mechanism for vaccines against COVID-19, which was initiated by WHO with the aim of enabling procurement and fair distribution of vaccines among member countries.
Hrapović potpisao sporazum o nabavci vakcine protiv COVID19 kada bude dostupna.
-Dobićemo zagarantovane doze bez čekanja i naknadnog apliciranja
-Vrijednost nabavke za 248.800 doza, količinu koja bi pokrila 20% stanovništva (preporučene dvije doze po osobi) je oko 2,16 mil. eura pic.twitter.com/bSa8FskJuq— Ministarstvo zdravlja Crne Gore (@MinZdravlja) October 9, 2020
The initiative was endorsed by EC and numerous relevant international organizations.
”At the moment COVAX initiative is the most favorable option for all less developed countries and countries in transition, including Montenegro, regarding procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, because it provides security and transparency. Over 170 world countries are part of COVAX. By joining this initiative, Montenegro will be enabled to take part in the distribution of vaccines in the same interval as other countries”, Mr Hrapović said.
In case a country fails to join the initiative, it puts itself in the position of an independent negotiator and is automatically in less favorable position than bigger states.
“In accordance with the research carried out by the Institute for Public Health and its estimates on the required amount of vaccines, Montenegro has expressed the need for 248.800 doses, which is enough to cover 20% of the population”, Ministry of Health reports.
Remdesivir for coronavirus treatment
Hrapović: Vlada obezbijedila 110,4 hiljada eura za remdesivir, za liječenje građana koji su zaraženi COVID-19 a imaju težu kliničku sliku. S obzirom na traženu količinu, "Montefarm" će izvršiti hitnu nabavku i uvoz za mjesec oktobar. pic.twitter.com/7QrenuIbm8
— Ministarstvo zdravlja Crne Gore (@MinZdravlja) October 9, 2020
With the consent from the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases, the Government has provided funds for remdesivir, drug used for the treatment of the citizens infected with coronavirus and displaying severe symptoms.
The price of this drug is €345 per ampoule and is the same for all countries.
”In accordance with the estimates made by Crisis Headquarters, Montenegro requires 320 ampoules of Remdesivir at monthly level. Therefore, it is necessary to earmark €110.400,00 (no VAT included)”, Mr Hrapović said.
Montefarm will urgently provide the cure in October.
