Chalerm puts forward six new GPO members
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Public Health Minister Chalerm Yubamrung yesterday lobbied Vichai Chokewiwat, chairman of the board of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), to drop his case against a cabinet order to dismiss the board.
He also proposed the board take on six new members who were previously appointed by former public health minister Chaiya Sasomsab.
The six people Mr Chalerm proposed join the 15-member board would replace those who resigned, Mr Chalerm said.
Prasarn Marukpitak left to become a senator and Chuchai Wiboonsakul left to go to the Thai Public Broadcasting Service.
Three health officials and a representative from the Finance Ministry also resigned.
"I know that the present nine members of the GPO board could continue working, but it gives the impression of being divisive," Mr Chalerm said during a visit to the GPO office.
Mr Chalerm, who is close to Commerce Minister Chaiya Sasomsab, said he had talked to Mr Chaiya about the issue, but he declined to say whether Mr Chaiya asked him to work on the agency's unresolved case on his behalf.
In May, Mr Chaiya appointed a new board, headed by Thirachai Wuthitham, a former manager of the national football team. He said the change was due to the GPO's falling profits.
But Dr Vichai went to the Administrative Court and lodged a case against Mr Chaiya, claiming his intentions in removing the board were dishonest.
He also said there had been attempts to pressure him and other board member to resign.
In June the court ordered the reinstatement of Dr Vichai and the five other board members sacked by the previous government, led by prime minster Samak Sundaravej.
Mr Chalerm claimed he would not put representatives of pharmaceutical companies on the GPO board, saying it would ruin the agency's work since private drug firms are competitors.
Mr Chaiya previously proposed the appointment of Teera Chakajnarodom, president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, on the 15-member board.
Dr Vichai said he was surprised the minister put such a proposal on the table. However, Dr Vichai said it might not be a good idea in practice, because he took the case against the cabinet's appointments to that board.
He said he would discuss the issue with board members and his legal team before making a decision.
GPO managing director and board member Witit Artavatkhun said only representatives from the public health and finance ministries are needed.
The agency could work well despite having only nine members, he added.
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