"The Cabinet yesterday approved the transfer of Food and Drug Adminis-tration (FDA) chief Siriwat Thiptharadol to be an inspector-general for Public Health Ministry. . . Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsup did not give any reasons for the moves, government spokes-man Wichianchote Sukchoterat said.
But it was understood the change in agency administrators was in line with the ministry's mission. He would not confirm if the transfers had anything to do with possible changes to the policy on compulsory licensing of patented drugs (CL).
An informed source at the ministry said the transfers were an off-season order and the Siriwat transfer might stem from the CL policy because he led the negotiating committee for drug prices. Siriwat was also the only official who worked on the CL policy while still serving at the ministry after Mongkol na Songkhla ended his term as health minister, the source said. . .
Chaiya said later his decision to transfer Siriwat had nothing to do with the doctor's involvement with compulsory licensing, because it was former public minister Mongkol na Songkhla who got Thailand involved with the issue. The minister said he would not want anyone to view Siriwat's transfer as a matter of dignity. . . .
Dr Kriengsak Watcharanu-koolkiat, chairman of the Rural Doctors Society, said the transfers of the three doctors were suspicious. "The transfers have been made to punish doctors involved in the CL matter to make an example," he said.
The doctor said he believed the next two doctors to be transferred from their posts would be Dr Wichai Chokewiwat, chairman of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) board, who has supported the CL issue, and GPO director Dr Withit Atthachekul."
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/27...es_30066571.php
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FDA chief transferred; critics suspect CL is the reason
Started by Sexpat, Feb 27 2008 11:47 AM
1 reply to this topic
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Posted 28 February 2008 - 10:09 AM
"Former secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Siriwat Tiptaradol is considering petitioning the Administrative Court and the Office of the Civil Service Commission over his sudden transfer to an inactive post.
Dr Siriwat said the reasons given by Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsub were vague. He was consulting his senior colleagues about seeking justice.
''I am still stunned by this sudden move. What is the real reason behind this so-called appropriate reshuffle, as claimed by the minister?'' he said, his voice trembling, during a press conference yesterday. . .
He declined to say if he thought the issue of compulsory licensing of patented drugs, initiated by former minister Mongkol na Songkhla, or abuse of authority were the main reasons for his sudden transfer."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Feb2008_news02.php
Dr Siriwat said the reasons given by Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsub were vague. He was consulting his senior colleagues about seeking justice.
''I am still stunned by this sudden move. What is the real reason behind this so-called appropriate reshuffle, as claimed by the minister?'' he said, his voice trembling, during a press conference yesterday. . .
He declined to say if he thought the issue of compulsory licensing of patented drugs, initiated by former minister Mongkol na Songkhla, or abuse of authority were the main reasons for his sudden transfer."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Feb2008_news02.php
