Cabinet 'uncomfortable' about Witit's dismissal

Cabinet 'uncomfortable' about Witit's dismissal

The cabinet yesterday approved the dismissal of Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) chief Witit Artavatkun, while expressing reservations about not knowing the full story.

Deputy government spokesman Sunisa Lertphakhawat said the cabinet yesterday signed into effect the GPO board's decision to remove Dr Witit, with immediate effect.

The Public Health Ministry submitted the dismissal order to the cabinet along with the results of a probe into Dr Witit's alleged misconduct by the GPO board.

However, a source said the cabinet was uncomfortable about endorsing the dismissal order without knowing what really happened.

Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikuar yesterday asked whether it was possible for the cabinet to merely "acknowledge" the dismissal order, rather than approve it, the source said.

The Council of State said this was not possible since the law required the cabinet to endorse the dismissal.

"The cabinet feels uncomfortable because it doesn't know the details. The law authorises the GPO board to sack the GPO chief, but the order must be endorsed by the cabinet," the source said.

The source said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was also concerned about the issue.

The dismissal of Dr Witit, who was made the GPO chief in 2007, has triggered an outcry from health activists who gave him credit for the launch of compulsory licensing, which allows Thailand to use cheaper, generic drugs instead of importing expensive versions from multi-national manufacturers.

The former GPO chief was accused of irregularities in the procurement of 148 tonnes of paracetamol ingredients.

He was also investigated for dereliction of duty in connection with the construction of a 1.4-billion-baht vaccine factory in Saraburi.

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