Professional Panel to Review Pharmacy Bidders
Representatives from Mission Pharmacy of Kittanning and Diamond Pharmacy of Indiana, Pa. looked to the Armstrong County Commissioners to approve a pharmacy contract for the Armstrong County Health Center yesterday, but have to wait up to six more months after Commissioners decided to have a three-person panel - of which includes only one Commissioner - review the information.
by Jonathan Weaver
The battle to supply medication to the Armstrong County Health Center will continue until the end of the summer, seven months longer than originally predicted.
The Armstrong County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed yesterday to have bids from Mission Pharmacy of Kittanning and Diamond Pharmacy of Indiana, Pa. reviewed by a third-party panel during the next six months before a final decision is made.
Diamond was chosen by Health Center Administrator David Mansour and staff at the January 23 public meeting after two weeks of reviewing bids during the middle of January.
However, that bid announcement was delayed after concerns of how the possibility was advertised and again today after initial suggestion from Commissioner Chair David Battaglia.
“There are so many issues here, and just to decide to keep it here because it’s a County job is the best, but it’s not fair to the Health Center. My recommendation is that we put together a panel to really ascertain if all the information we’re getting from both sides is accurate: to really see if the economic impact on this County is going to be so great that we can’t afford to let Mission have the contract – or is the savings going to be so great that we can’t afford to let Diamond not have the contract,” Battaglia said.
“For us to assimilate it and process it seems like an unfair decision to everyone involved to do it in this timeframe,” Battaglia added.
A recommendation – which will be voted on at the next meeting – was made to also extend Mission Pharmacy’s contract six months.
Quality of services, scope, electronic monitoring and cost will all be some factors considered by the panel.
“We have two very strong companies bidding this: either one would be a great asset to the County,” Battaglia said.
Commissioner Richard Fink has been in office for nine years supported Mansour’s recommendation.
“I’ve always been an advocate of ‘When we can, buy Armstrong County’” Fink said.
Commissioners also considered job creation and loss at both effected pharmacies, as well as the nearly-150 staffers at the Health Center. The fact that up to seven Mission Pharmacy employees might be at-risk without the contract pushed Commissioner Bob Bower to vote for them.
“There are so many good people, but I have to make a decision based on what the people in Armstrong County are telling me. It’s a personal issue, as much as it is a Commissioner-elected issue,” Bower said.
Diamond Pharmacy Sales Representative Mike Rogalski said the pharmancy might even employ former-Mission workers since Diamond will be seeking qualified pharmacists.
“It’s guaranteed we’ll see substantial growth, “Rogalski said. “Business is business. If they are qualified people, we would certainly be wiling to extend an olive branch to them
According to Mansour, a contract with Diamond Pharmacy could save the Health Center thousands of dollars and is crucial to maintaining their yearly budget.
Mission Pharmacy Representative Vince Politi said his company has helped the Health Center become self-sustaining by associating with them.
“We have history of helping the County in their fiscal responsibility,” Politi said. “We provide everything the County needs, and I hope we’re considered going forward.”
Representatives in favor of each prospective pharmacy must be selected by February 16. It is not known how often they will meet to negotiate.
Armstrong County Court House | jweaver February 3, 2012 | 
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