Agenda

Return

C. 93

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Date:	January 5, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Purchase Order with Reliance Wholesale, Inc.

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 01/05/2021

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Jaspreet Benepal, 925-370-5101
cc:	Irene Segovia

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 5, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent to execute, on behalf of the Health Services Director, a purchase order with Reliance Wholesale, Inc., in the amount of $250,000 for IV and Pharmaceutical drugs and supplies to be used at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) and Health Centers, for the period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This purchase order will result in annual medical supplies expenditures of up to $250,000 and will be 100% funded by Hospital Enterprise Fund I revenues.

BACKGROUND:

Reliance Wholesale, Inc., is a pharmaceutical company that provides the CCRMC and Health Centers with medications and pharmaceutical products unavailable through the contracted wholesaler Cardinal or the direct manufacturer of these products. Drug shortages have been intensified in past nine months in face of a worldwide pandemic, creating yet a new level of challenge in the healthcare. This is particularly important as this shortage affected the most vulnerable patient population affected by Covid-19 in the most critical environments of the hospital being ICU and emergency care settings with a specific “types” critical medications not being immediately available nationwide. Drug shortages adversely affect patient care by causing substitution of safe and effective therapies with alternative treatments; compromising or delaying medical procedures; or causing medication errors. Drug shortages also significantly burden health care provider and health care facility finances and personnel.

At CCRMC, when clinically proven, the Pharmacy Department substitutes the shorted item with compatible alternatives. However when this is not doable or clinically indicated and in order to optimize the standard of care we must obtain the product through reputable resources such as Reliance.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this contract is not approved, we will not be able to take care of our patient population at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers.