The National College of Pharmacists has firmly rejected the statements made by the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, in which he mentioned an alleged "drug mafia" in the National Directorate of Pharmacies and Drugs. In a letter addressed to the president, pharmacists demand that he rectify his assertions and, if he has evidence, present the complaints to the competent authorities.
The president of the College, Jaime Oliver, and the secretary of the union, Trifino Hernández, pointed out that José Raúl Mulino's words are contradictory, since the director of the National Directorate of Pharmacies and Drugs is directly appointed by the Executive Branch. This position, according to Law No. 24 of 1983, is one of trust and free appointment and removal, being a decision that falls on the president himself.
Representatives of the National College of Pharmacists emphasized that this appointment mechanism guarantees transparency in public function and the management of these positions. In case that trust has been lost, they suggested calling for a public competition for the selection of these officials, following a process similar to that of other positions in the Ministry of Health, with the aim of avoiding favoritism practices.
Regarding the issue of drug procurement, the pharmaceutical union reiterated its recommendation to implement reverse auction as an acquisition method, emphasizing the importance of seeking alternatives that promote transparency and efficiency in this process.
