Agenda

Return

C.157

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Date:	June 21, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Purchase Order with Reliance Wholesale, Inc.

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/21/2022

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:

Irene Segovia, (925) 335-7474

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: June 21, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute on behalf of the Health Services Department, a Blanket Purchase Order with Reliance Wholesale, Inc. in the amount of $325,000 for Intravenous (IV) and Pharmaceutical drugs and supplies to be used at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Approval of this purchase order will result in $325,000 in expenditures for IV and Pharmaceutical drugs and supplies will be funded by 90% Hospital Enterprise Fund I revenues and 10% American Rescue Plan Act allocations.

BACKGROUND:

Reliance Wholesale, Inc., is a pharmaceutical company that provides the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers with medications and pharmaceutical products unavailable through the contracted wholesaler Cardinal or the direct manufacturer of these products. The U.S. has been experiencing a rapidly increasing frequency of drug shortages in the past two decades, which have caused numerous difficulties for clinicians, health care facilities, patients, and federal regulators. Drug shortages are the most burdensome obstacle in providing optimal level of care in the healthcare industry from the medication management perspective. This problem has been intensified in past two years in face of a worldwide pandemic, creating yet a new level of challenge in healthcare. This is particularly important as this shortage affects 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” of critical medication not being immediately available nationwide.

Drug shortages are caused by many factors, including difficulties in acquiring raw materials, manufacturing problems, regulatory issues, and business decisions, as well as many other disturbances within the supply chain. They 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 providers and health care facility finances and personnel.

At CCRMC, when clinically proven, the Pharmacy Dept. may substitute the shorted item with compatible alternatives. However, when this is not an option or clinically indicated, and in order to optimize the standard of care, obtaining the product via reputable resources such as Reliance are critical.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this purchase order is not approved, the department will not be able to take care of its patient population at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers.