It’s outrageous! Massive damage, possibly millions worth, was caused by the destruction of thousands of quantities of medicines in warehouses used by the Ministry of Health when rainwater and hail entered from the roof, which has problems.
It’s outrageous! The disaster occurred on 18th March 2024, but until yesterday, when Phileleftheros revealed it, the Ministry of Health kept it hidden.
They tried to keep the scandal from coming to light.
It’s outrageous! The Ministry of Health has known since 2016 (and not 2018 as claimed yesterday, which we will explain later) about the unsuitability of the warehouses.
However, they waited until 2024 for the disaster to move the medicines.
It’s outrageous! The state rents out the unsuitable warehouses to a private individual for €6,000, and the private individual sublets them to the state for €135,000!
Yes, I know. The bombardment is relentless. So many scandals combined into one make it hard for anyone to bear and to avoid a stroke!
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health emphasised the need to ensure there would be no shortages of medicines on the market.
Certainly, this need is very important. However, since we detect an attempt to divert public attention elsewhere, we must warn: There are huge responsibilities on the part of the Ministry of Health!
And they can’t be ignored. You have an obligation to the taxpayers, from whose hard work you earn hefty salaries, to take responsibility. And finally, let those who cause such costs be punished in this country.
What does that perpetually smiling Director-General of the Ministry have to say? Will she be held accountable? Will she explain why she didn’t ensure the warehouses were moved since 2016?
If she believes she did what was required but it didn’t happen until last month because political superiors are responsible, she should state it clearly.
Yesterday, the Audit Service made it clear to us that since 2018 there had been an issue in its reports about the notorious warehouses.
The Pharmaceutical Services revealed that they had submitted a written report on the unsuitability since 2019.
The column reveals today an undisputed fact that the Ministry of Health knew about the problem and the risk even earlier.
Specifically, since 2016. According to a letter dated 17th June 2016, the danger is highlighted.
The letter, which the column secured from a source within the Ministry of Health, is signed by the then Head Inspector of Good Manufacturing Practices and Distribution (namely Anna Pafitou) and is sent to the Pharmaceutical Services.
It states unequivocally: “The operation model of the Pharmaceutical Warehouses… in the modern era of 2016 is completely unsuitable…”. Referring to the problems in detail, it points out, among other things, the following: “Inadequate building facilities that do not provide sufficient protection for products.”
In the same letter, a recommendation is made for outsourcing services from the private sector where there are many suitable drug warehouses.
At one point, it is emphasised: “The risk from any destruction of products due to natural disasters or other unforeseen factors (e.g. power outage, rain flooding) or the operational cost of recall/incorrect delivery/return of products, will burden the private sector…”
It’s inconceivable that they knew the risk for at least eight years but waited for the disaster to occur!
A repetition of the other scandal with the state’s servers, where they also waited for the unsuitable space they were in to flood before deciding to move them.
We’ve said it many times in the past, and we’ll repeat it. In this tormented place, there are many small and large “Mari” scattered around. Ready to explode at any moment due to the accumulated negligence in the state sector.
As for the infamous rent of the warehouses, find the clever one who thought of it.
Great business. You rent the warehouses from a state service for €6,000 and sublet them to another service for €135,000!!! You never have to work again! You’re just fooling us all!
The new spirit you proclaim, Mr Christodoulides, is needed here: Do you dare to reveal the culprits? Do you dare to seek their punishment?
