Ex-deputy health minister arrested for negligence
Former deputy health minister Cao Minh Quang was arrested Friday to be investigated for neglecting to check drug orders at a pharmaceutical company, causing loss to state property.
Police announced the same day that Duong Huy Lieu, 74, former head of the Financial Planning Department under the Ministry of Health, is also being investigated for « negligence that results in serious consequences. » Lieu is currently under house arrest.
Police said Quang and Lieu had failed to check and evaluate negotiation terms to buy drug ingredients at discounted prices by the Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company. Their actions caused authorities to miss out on the fact that the drug firm was able to get a discount of $3.848 million when buying ingredients, which incurred loss to state property.
With regards to the case, previously police had also investigated Luong Van Hoa, former director of the Cuu Long firm, and Nguyen Thanh Tong, its former deputy director, for « abuse of power or position in performance of official duties. »
Late last year, Quang had also been called for disciplinary actions by the Communist Party’s Central Inspection Commission for his misconduct at the health ministry. He had also been relieved of all his Party positions.
Quang was the head of the Drug Administration of Vietnam from 2004 to 2007, then deputy health minister until 2013 before retiring.
The Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Company in the southern Vinh Long Province has operated for over 40 years and owns four factories.
By Pham Du – VnExpress.net – March 11, 2022