HEALTH
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
The managing-director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, Witit Artavatkun, is seen as the next target of Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab, who has already given GPO board chairman Vichai Chokewiwat his marching orders.
A Public Health Ministry source said Mr Chaiya was putting pressure on Dr Witit to quit but he did not want to do so as he would have to pay 1.7 million baht in compensation to the organisation for failing to honour his contract.
''Some groups are trying to pressure Dr Witit to resign from the position in the hope of making the GPO as weak as possible and getting future business benefits,'' the source said.
The GPO plans to expand its business lines. It will be rebranded ''GPO Health Care'' and widen its product range from only medication to cover all healthcare products.
That could boost the GPO's sales but affect multinational drug companies a great deal.
The GPO also plans to manufacture a generic version of Atorvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering medication marketed as Lipitor. It would cost about one-tenth of the patented version.
It hopes to win half the total market share for cholesterol-lowering drugs, which could bring in up to 500 million baht in revenues each year, a source said.
Mr Chaiya has already sacked Dr Vichai, the GPO board chairman who was a key advocate of compulsory licensing. Other board members were forced to resign to clear the way for the selection of 15 new board members.
Dr Vichai has said Mr Chaiya's decision to sack him was based on ''dishonest intentions''.
He said the GPO Act requires board members to have professional qualifications, including pharmaceutical sciences. None of the 15 new board members met this requirement.
Dr Vichai had petitioned the Administrative Court over his removal. The first hearing is today.
The former GPO board chairman is seeking justice from the court and is accusing Mr Chaiya of abusing his power by dismissing him and the old board without an explanation.
The cabinet last month approved the sacking of the entire board on the recommendation of Mr Chaiya.
Thirachai Wuthitham, a former manager of the national football team, was appointed the new chairman.
Mr Vichai yesterday denied Mr Chaiya's claim the GPO's profits had been falling under the supervision of the old board. He said the GPO had made a record profit of more than one billion baht for the first time.
Mr Chaiya said he would not turn up at the court today.
Supoj Ruchuphan, the minister's secretary, said the minister intends to use letters sent by former commerce minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet asking Mr Chaiya to review his policy on compulsory licensing to explain Dr Vichai's dismissal to the court.
Mr Chaiya strongly opposed compulsory licensing from the moment he took office.
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