ON THE Record
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Vichai: Will continue to champion compulsory licensing despite the minister's opposition. |
The Administrative Court recently ordered the reinstatement of Vichai Chokewiwat as chairman of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) board and five other board members dismissed by the cabinet on the recommendation of Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab. Dr Vichai talks about winning the case and what he will do after his return.
Why did you decide to petition the Administrative Court over the cabinet's order to dismiss the GPO board?
From my first day in office I always said I would petition the Administrative Court if I was unfairly removed from the position. I believe in the principle that executives of state agencies should not be changed frequently as that would damage their ability to do its job properly. The court clearly stated in its ruling that there must be appropriate reasons for the removal of GPO board members. The board's removal [in this instance] was groundless. The cabinet only stated it was done in the interests of order and efficacy, which is very vague. Concrete reasons and further details went unexplained.
Since this government has been in office, there have been attempts to pressure board members and me into resigning. Some did so. Prasarn Marukpitak resigned to become a senator and Chuchai Wiboonsakul left to go to the Thai Public Broadcasting Service. Three Public Health Ministry officials and a representative from the Finance Ministry also left.
But everything the board has done has been right and proper. We are going to change the agency for the better. We have the price-reduction policy on pharmaceutical products, which could strengthen the organisation's position in the competitive market.
Also there are many important and urgent concerns, such as the policy on compulsory licensing (CL) to bypass drug patents. If there was no clear policy from the GPO board, the CL policy could not be put into practice.
In addition, there is a project to construct a plant to make HIV/Aids drugs, enhance medicinal standards and open an opportunity for exports.
And the influenza and bird flu vaccine plant is one of the most important projects involving national health security, in case of a pandemic.
This is a major breakthrough and is of national benefit. I would be irresponsible if I deserted these unfinished projects. That is why I have to fight for the principle of a state agency and national benefits.
What will be your first task upon your return to the position?
I will continue the policy on compulsory licensing. There is much to be done. In the world of business, there is no time to waste.
I have already approved the importation of the generic lung and breast cancer drug docetaxel from an India-based manufacturer. The Food and Drug Administration has already approved its quality. The generic version of this drug costs only 1,245 baht per injection, compared with the patented version's price of 25,000 baht.
Since the CL policy was put into practice, the price of patented drugs has fallen dramatically. The original version of heart drug clopidogrel is an example. The patent owner recently offered us a price of only five baht per tablet, down from the previous price of between 20 and 70 baht per tablet.
In addition, the policy enables the agency to save more than 10 million baht on the anti-Aids drug Effavirenz alone.
Four Indian companies have registered to sell the drug in Thailand, resulting in prices dropping from 600 baht per bottle to about 300 baht.
But we may not be able to announce a policy on any new regimen.
The present public health minister, positioned as the GPO president, does not agree with compulsory licensing. That is fine. I am sure there will be more opportunities in the future.
As the minister is planning to petition the Supreme Administrative Court over the ruling, how are you going to prepare for the court case?
I won the first round. But this case is not over, not yet. The minister will, of course, petition the Supreme Administrative Court. I am always ready to fight the case, not only for my own sake but also for the benefit of the public and country as a whole.
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