Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has launched an investigation into the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), Thailand’s state drug manufacturer, after receiving reports that the GPO might have ordered tons of defective painkiller ingredients from China.
The ingredients, purchased during the past two years, are meant for use in the manufacture of paracetamol, an over-the-counter painkiller.
Witit Artavatkun, the GPO’s managing director, said in conversation with the Nation that none of the tainted chemical, of which the GPO purchased upwards of 130 tons, has yet been used in the manufacture of paracetamol.
If inspectors indeed find the chemical to be defective, Witit said that his organization would be able to obtain a refund from the chemical’s Chinese progenitor.
