[Ip-health] Court orders reinstatement of GPO board

[Kannikar KIJTIWATCHAKUL]

Court orders reinstatement of GPO board

APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Bangkok Post, 26 June 08



The Administrative Court yesterday ordered the reinstatement of former chai=
rman Vichai Chokewiwat and the five other former members of the board of th=
e Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO). The six men were sacked by =
the cabinet last month on the recommendation of Public Health Minister Chai=
ya Sasomsab, who appointed a new board.




They took their case to the Administrative Court, accusing Mr Chaiya of ''d=
ishonest intentions''.




Mr Chaiya sacked Dr Vichai and the other board members on grounds the GPO's=
 profits had been falling under their supervision. He appointed Thirachai W=
uthitham, a former manager of the national football team, the new chairman,=
 along with a new board.


Dr Vichai was appointed the GPO board chairman during the interim governmen=
t of Gen Surayud Chulanont. He was a close aide to then public health minis=
ter Mongkol na Songkhla and a key advocate of compulsory licensing to bypas=
s the patents of Aids, heart and cancer drugs last year. The move upset mul=
tinational drug companies.




Mr Chaiya strongly opposed the policy from his first day in office.




Dr Vichai said after the court hearing he was pleased with the verdict and =
would arrange an immediate meeting of the old board. He would also speed up=
 the import of the cancer drug docetaxel for patients under the universal h=
ealthcare scheme.


The previous government announced the compulsory licensing policy in Februa=
ry 2006 and included docetaxel, also known as Taxotere, on the national ess=
ential drug list. But patients are still waiting for the medication.




Saree Ongsomwang, manager of the Foundation for Consumers, said the court's=
 verdict raised hopes that state agencies could continue working effectivel=
y for the national benefit without political interference.


Supoj Ruchuphan, the public health minister's secretary, said Mr Chaiya dis=
agreed with the verdict and would petition the Supreme Administrative Court=
 within 30 days.


Under the GPO and State Enterprise Acts the minister had the right to appoi=
nt a new board to implement new government policy, according to Mr Supoj.



Kannikar KIJTIWATCHAKUL (Kar)
Access to Essential Medicine Campaigner
MSF Belgium - Thailand Mission,
522 Mooban Nakorn Thai 14,
Ladphrao Soi 101/1,
Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240
Tel (+66) 2370 3087
Fax (+66) 2731 1432
Mobile (+66) 85-070-8954