UNOPS confirms Quality of Medicines Supplied to Guatemala Despite Prior Concerns
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) released a statement on Sunday, November 23, 2025, affirming the quality of medicines purchased for Guatemala’s public health network. The statement addresses concerns surrounding the medication Paracetamol Focus 1%, specifically lots R2180270 and R2180271.
According to UNOPS, National Health Laboratory reports confirm that the 41,895 units of Paracetamol Focus 1% delivered to 13 hospitals between January 29 and February 21, 2025, “meets all national quality standards.” These findings were corroborated by the MSPAS-authorized Global Quality Laboratory through physicochemical and microbiological analyses.
The clarification comes after the Ministry of Health canceled the health registration of Paracetamol Focus 1% in February 2021, based on non-compliant results from batch R2180243 – a batch not acquired by UNOPS.
Following a Ministry of Health order on April 24, 2025, to remove all batches of the drug from hospitals, UNOPS promptly activated its response protocols and, in coordination with the MSPAS, withdrew 32,556 units of batches R2180270 and R2180271. Subsequent laboratory testing of these withdrawn units confirmed their adherence to national quality standards.
The program, signed with the Guatemalan Government through the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) on April 30, 2024, aims to “Advancement of access to health, through alternatives for the supply of medicines, medical technology and other supplies for the public health network of Guatemala.”
UNOPS Secures Important Savings on Medicines for Guatemala’s Public Health System
the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has reported significant cost savings in the procurement of essential medicines for Guatemala’s public health system. A recent statement from UNOPS details how its procurement processes have yielded an average savings projection of 35.89% across 268 types of medicines, benefiting 41 hospitals and 29 Departmental Directorates of Integrated Health Services Networks (DDRISS).
The initiative focuses on securing long-term contracts through a competitive bidding process. As an example, UNOPS acquired Paracetamol Focus 1% for Q. 4.00 per unit. This contrasts sharply with the average price of Q. 16.15 per unit paid during 2024 through 16 separate purchase events awarded to the same supplier, according to data from Guatemala’s public procurement website, Guatecompras https://www.guatecompras.gt/.
Commitment to Transparency and Due Diligence
UNOPS emphasized its dedication to transparency and integrity in all operations within Guatemala.The organization stated it will continue to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure patient safety and a well-functioning drug supply system.
A key component of UNOPS’s approach is rigorous supplier verification. This includes thorough due diligence, scrutinizing the background, integrity, reliability, and performance of potential suppliers. UNOPS considers factors such as adherence to United Nations system policies – including the UN Global Compact https://www.unglobalcompact.org/ – ethical considerations (corruption and conflicts of interest),financial stability,and reputational standing. Project-specific risks are also evaluated.
Cost Recovery Model
UNOPS operates on a cost recovery basis, meaning it does not seek profit from its activities. The organization explained that each project’s cost structure is based on the resources required for efficient management, achieving project objectives, and upholding relevant financial regulations and values. as stated by UNOPS, “Each project executed by UNOPS reflects a cost structure that is based on the diffrent inputs necessary to ensure efficient management, achieving the established objective and attention to the principles and values, as well as the Financial Rules and Regulations that apply to UNOPS.”
This initiative highlights UNOPS’s role in supporting Guatemala’s healthcare infrastructure by leveraging its procurement expertise to deliver cost-effective access to essential medicines.