NIK on Medical Research Agency

Year after year, more and more money went to the Medical Research Agency, but by the end of June 2022 its activities had not brought tangible benefits to either the health care system or the state budget, according to the NIK.

An audit by the NIK showed that in 2019 the Agency. The agency had not yet conducted any studies, was only in the process of setting up its internal organizational structure, had only 14 full-time employees, and had been provided with a PLN 7 million subsidy by the Ministry of Health solely to cover its ongoing operating costs.

The Medical Research Agency is to carry out tasks commissioned by the Minister of Health and its own scientific research and development work, as well as to finance projects selected through competition, with particular emphasis on clinical and epidemiological research. As of September 2021, the ABM's objectives have been expanded to include funding research experiments.

During the audit period, ABM did not initiate and conduct its own scientific research and development work, despite the funds provided for this purpose. 

Applications

In connection with the results of the audit, the NIK made requests to the Minister of Health and the President of the Medical Research Agency.

Applications to the Minister of Health:

Strengthening oversight of the Medical Research Agency in terms of:

• Planning and implementation of its own research and development activities, taking into account the results of these activities,
• to carry out a systematic evaluation of the activities carried out, including competition, in terms of financial benefits for the state budget and the health care system,
• Optimal development of the information and communication system to ensure electronic implementation of the tasks referred to in Article 15 (1) and (2) of the ABM Law,
• Implement effective control mechanisms to reduce the risk of double funding of the same research projects

When directing an application to the Prime Minister for inclusion in the list of entities of special importance to the state, it should be preceded by a thorough analysis of the entity's fulfillment of the prerequisites set forth in Article 9 of the Chamber Law. In addition, the NIK requests an analysis of the legitimacy of qualifying the Medical Research Agency as an entity of special importance to the state.

De lege ferenda proposal: the NIK requests that the wording of § 5(1) of the Regulation of the Minister of Health on the detailed rules and procedure for granting annual awards be amended so that public transparency and transparency of public finances are preserved in the granting of awards to deputy heads of entities and chief accountants.

Application to the President of the Medical Research Agency

Conducting systematic evaluation of funded projects in terms of financial benefits to the state budget and health system.

Source: NIK