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Hrvatski
Public procurement represents about 20% of the EU’s GDP and is a key tool for sustainable growth. In Croatia’s healthcare system, procurement of medicines, medical devices, and services has grown, but tenders still overwhelmingly rely on the lowest price criterion.
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This undermines innovation, the introduction of value-based products, and ultimately clinical outcomes and efficiency.
Key issues identified by AmCham Croatia:
- Price as the sole criterion in 99% of healthcare tenders,
- “Winner-takes-all” tenders for medicines and vaccines, increasing the risk of shortages and reducing competition,
- Complex, inconsistent procedures and disproportionate contractual terms.
AmCham’s recommendations:
- Broader application of the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) criteria, including clinical outcomes, safety, technical value, and supply reliability.
- Introducing multi-winner tenders for medicines and vaccines to reduce shortages and maintain competition.
- Simplifying and harmonizing procurement procedures while involving healthcare professionals and patients in decision-making.
- Aligning contractual rights and obligations with fair business practices.
In conclusion, without fostering innovation, healthcare procurement will not deliver efficiency or better patient outcomes. Specific healthcare guidelines should be developed in line with the EU Innovation Strategy to support value-based procurement practices.