A medical supply company, PPE Medpro, has been ordered to pay £122 million in damages following a High Court ruling that determined the company breached a government contract regarding the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Department of Health and Social Care initiated legal action against PPE Medpro, alleging that the medical gowns provided by the company did not meet the required healthcare standards.
The court found that PPE Medpro failed to demonstrate whether its surgical gowns, intended for usage by NHS personnel, had undergone a validated sterilization process, which is essential for compliance with healthcare regulations. This ruling raises questions regarding the compliance of PPE Medpro’s products with necessary safety standards during a critical period.
PPE Medpro originally secured its government contract in 2020 through a designated “VIP lane,” which allowed favored companies to access contracts more swiftly. The firm was recommended for this contract by Baroness Mone, who has since faced scrutiny concerning her connection to the company.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about procurement processes and quality assurance in the healthcare supply chain, particularly amid the urgent demand for PPE during the pandemic.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1792rk7ynko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss