Armstrong County reopens pharmacy bids

KITTANNING — The county is looking for a company to provide pharmacy service for its health center — again — but this time it's all about the bottom line rather than a complicated scoring system that made it difficult for the board of commissioners to decide on the best pharmacy.

On the advice of the county's solicitor, Chase McClister, the commissioners on Thursday rejected all bids and reopened the bidding process.

"The process needs resolved in the fairest way possible," said Commissioner Chairman Dave Battaglia. "We checked with the solicitor and this is the best way."

"We were in a time constraint," he said. "It gives all bidders a fresh opportunity."

Controversy about the health center's next pharmacy contract started when Mission Pharmacy — a small Kittanning company which has been the provider for the past 10 years — was passed over for Diamond Pharmacy of Indiana on the recommendation of health center officials.

David Mansour, health center administrator, recommended awarding the two-year contract to Diamond Pharmacy based on its having the lowest cost determined from a sample list of medical and non-medical services, and on its having the highest point score using criteria that included electronic system, experience, price information and the overall scope of service. He said that Diamond offered more services at a higher quality and lower cost.

Left to decide what was in the best interest of the county — savings vs. potential loss of local jobs — the commissioners at their Feb. 2 meeting agreed to have an independent panel review the bids and make the decision. However, with the contract being rebid, the panel was no longer needed, officials said yesterday.

Bid amounts were never announced at any of several public meetings. However, health center officials said the contract is worth about $26,000 a month.

"They're going to have to show their low bid," said Commissioner Rich Fink. "The county code is that contracts will be awarded to the lowest bidder."

Fink said he expects more companies to bid on the contract. Four pharmacies initially bid — Mission Pharmacy, Diamond Pharmacy, Leechburg Pharmacy and ICP Care Pharmacies of Sharpsville. Leechburg Pharmacy withdrew its bid.

A 30-day extension of the Mission contract is currently in effect.

Mansour recommended that the health center extend the Mission contract until June 1. The commissioners are expected to formally approve the extension at their next public meeting.

"To allow the bidding process," said Mansour of extending it. "Until we can award a contract."

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Armstrong County reopens pharmacy bids