The Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) has issued a formal directive to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center (JFK) demanding the immediate termination of its controversial agreement with B.K. Pharmacy, citing violations of Liberia’s procurement laws.
In a strongly worded letter dated November 20, 2024, the PPCC reminded JFK’s administration that the contract with B.K. Pharmacy, which granted the private entity rights to operate within JFK’s outpatient pharmacy system -constitutes a public-private partnership (PPP).
As such, the arrangement falls squarely under the 2010 Public Procurement and Concessions Act, which mandates competitive bidding, transparency, and adherence to regulatory protocols in all such engagements.
“The arrangement… was found to be inconsistent with the provisions of the 2010 PPCA,” stated Bodger Scott Johnson, PPCC’s Chief Executive Officer. “It was unanimously agreed during our meeting that the said arrangement must be discontinued.”
The letter followed a resolution passed during a stakeholder meeting held in October 2024, where it was determined that the deal lacked the necessary procedural compliance and approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.
How the Deal Unfolded
An internal November 2024 memorandum from JFK’s CEO, Dr. Linda A. Birch, revealed that patients and staff were instructed to purchase all outpatient (PO) medications from B-Kay Pharmacy staff operating within the hospital’s premises.
Furthermore, payments were to be deposited into B-Kay Pharmacy’s private bank accounts at EcoBank and International Bank.
This triggered red flags among public procurement monitors and raised concerns over revenue loss, accountability, and conflict of interest.
PPCC Demands Full Termination and Timeline
The PPCC has requested a formal update from JFK’s leadership outlining the steps being taken to dissolve the arrangement and a clear timeline for when the termination will take effect.
“Should you require any further clarification or assistance in this regard, please do not hesitate to reach out,” Johnson noted.
Mounting Pressure and Calls for Transparency
The matter has drawn attention from healthcare workers, civil society actors, and patients’ rights advocates. Some have expressed outrage over the privatization of hospital pharmacies, arguing that such actions exacerbate the financial burden on patients and undermine public trust.
“This isn’t just about legality-it about morality,” said Rebecca Moore, a public health advocate. “How can the nation’s largest referral hospital allow a private company to profit off its patients, especially when the arrangement bypasses national procurement safeguards?”
Hospital Pricing Under Scrutiny
This development follows recent deliberations held at JFK regarding the pricing of medical procedures. A July 4, 2025, meeting at the Maternity Conference Room led to updated cost structures for Cesarean Sections and Normal Vaginal Deliveries, further stoking concerns over healthcare affordability and billing transparency.
Key takeaways from the meeting include:
C-section total cost: Approximately $200 USD, including admission, drugs, surgery, and labs.
Normal Delivery fee: Set at $50 USD, with additional charges for drugs and supplies.
All additional drugs or post-op medications are to be billed separately to patients.
The meeting also heard concerns from the Chief Pharmacist that current pricing structures for C-sections were placing the hospital at financial loss-raising more questions about the fiscal sustainability of services under the B.K. Pharmacy model.
JFK is yet to issue a public response or a formal update on whether it will honor the PPCC’s directive. However, insiders suggest that internal discussions are ongoing, with pressure mounting from the Ministry of Health, healthcare unions, and the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
Observers say the outcome of this case could set a major precedent for how public-private partnerships are structured and monitored within Liberia’s fragile healthcare system.
