Warsaw (Puls Biznesu) – CHS Computers, a small family company from Bydgoszcz, central-northern Poland filed a suit in December against the pharmaceutical company from Switzerland. CHS accuses Roche that it won a tender because it made a fraud and used dumping prices. It demands the agreement to deliver BSE tests to be cancelled and wants a compensation of PLN 10m.
The tenders rose many controversies. The first two proceedings were cancelled. In both of them the two companies: CHS and Roche took part. Both were similar: CHS offered higher prices but Roche’s offer was rejected because it did not fulfill the tender’s requirements. Losing parties protested against decisions, and finally Poland lost the chance to receive EUR 12m of EU funds and tests were paid for from the budget. Another tender to buy tests from Phare funds was announced at the end of 2005. CHS offered Biorad tests worth PLN 25m, Roche offered Prionix tests for PLN 11m. Roche lost because the printer it included in its offer was allegedly too weak.
It’s a scandal. We have informed the EU ministry (UKIE) about it, we are going to tell about it to the government and monopoly authorities. An offer worth twice as much must not be chosen because of so unimportant reasons, Andrzej Banaszkiewicz, Roche Diagnostic Polska CEO said.
He reached his goal. Tadeusz Kozek from UKIE changed the decision, and an agreement with Roche was signed. Now, CHS filed a suit. Jacek Steilow, CHS head is disappointed. In his opinion, the tests offered by his company were more expensive but much faster. Roche refuses to comment.
We have just received the note about the suit. We cannot comment on accusations before we read the suit, Magdalena Dabrowiecka from Roche Diagnostic Polska said.