Summary

SAI Ecuador conducted an audit of contracts related to the procurement of medical devices and medicines for individuals with rare or orphan diseases. The auditors certified civil liability of 68 employees from 13 hospitals of the Ministry of Public Health (Ministerio de Salud Pública) for irregularities in the procurement of medicines and medical devices amounting to USD 11.6 million. For instance, the audit revealed that 100 units of the liquid parenteral drug Rituximab were procured on an emergency basis without complying with legally established requirements. Furthermore, the drug Trastuzumab, intended for patients with breast cancer, was delivered in breach of contractual deadlines, jeopardizing the continuity of treatment. Additionally, no verification was conducted to ensure that the goods met the technical specifications upon receipt, leading to the storage of expired or adulterated medical devices.