Nothing suspect about vaccine plant: chief
Play
There are no irregularities in the vaccine plant being built by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) and the many problems that have cropped up have more to do with technicalities, former Pharmaceutical Commission chairman Dr Wichai Chokewiwat
Speaking to the press before testifying to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which is looking into the factory project, Wichai said the delays had been caused by the lack of knowledge on how to prevent moisture in the underground laboratories. This need came up after the 2011 flood crisis.
In relation to the statement issued by the Public Health Ministry that the project had been hurried through even though the World Health Organisation had not certified the production standard, Wichai said the facilities needed to be put in place before mass production and parallel research could begin.
When asked why there were four contracts for one project, Wichai said all 10 contractors had different expertise, hence they all had to be hired to ensure efficiency and transparency.
He added that he would be willing to allow the media to cover the DSI hearing yesterday, though the investigation agency prohibited such coverage.
As for rumours that the commission and the GPO were being discredited so as to make way for foreign drug companies to dominate the domestic market, Wichai said that it if were true it was an evil thing to do, but refused to comment further.
