Dr moved in wake of hospital scandal

Dr Sophon Mekthon, a deputy permanent secretary for public health who chaired the panel investigating the scandal, said it issued the order to move Phu Sing Hospital director Dr Kitiphoom Juthasamit after officials at his hospital had allegedly been involved in smuggling pseudoephedrine pills.
Kitiphoom had not been directly involved in the scandal, but because of his role in the hospital’s administration, he had to be moved away from the centre until the investigation was complete, Sophon said.
Kitiphoom filed a complaint with Phu Sing Police Station in March that 200,000 tablets were missing from the hospital.
He said as head of the hospital, it was unavoidable he take responsibility.
“I’ve not done anything related to the smuggling of such tablets. I’ve not even thought of it.”
“I’ve been working in Si Sa Ket since I graduated. I intended to help people in remote areas. I’ve been working for Phu Sing Hospital for 16 years,” he said.
Kitiphoom said local people, on hearing of his news, had called to cheer him up. He told them he would come back after the investigation finished.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it will burn illegal drug, food, cosmetics and medical equipment seized by it over the past three years.
FDA secretary-general Dr Pipat Yingseri said it would destroy those illegal items – weighing 30 tonnes and worth Bt221 million – on Friday at 10am.
He said 88 kilograms of pseudoephedrine pills were among illegal drugs to be burned.
Reports said the FDA allowed pseudoephedrine manufacturers and importers to hand in the drugs yesterday and today. One company surrendered 29 boxes and 68 pills.