The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) says a warehouse storing tainted paracetamol ingredients appears to be above board.
The DSI's Corruption Suppression and Prevention Centre director Thanin Prempree yesterday led a team to examine the warehouse of Laksi Post Office in Laksi district, where the ingredients were being stored. The ingredients had been sent from a Chinese supplier and were awaiting collection by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), which produces the paracetamol.
Earlier, the GPO found some of the ingredients purchased from China and kept in the warehouse were contaminated. Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong asked the DSI to look into the matter.
Post office staff accompanied the DSI officials during the search.
Mr Thanin said all 100 tonnes of ingredients were accounted for and storage conditions were consistent with the requirements.
He said the post office will be asked to send documents clarifying its storage practices to the DSI, which will also scrutinise the procurement.
Mr Thanin said the DSI has sent samples of the ingredients to the Defence Pharmaceutical Factory and the Department of Medical Sciences to determine how they were contaminated. Their results are expected later this week.
The DSI yesterday summoned GPO director Witit Artavatkun for questioning over the agency's paracetamol manufacturing process and a delay in its vaccine factory construction project in Kaeng Khoi district of Saraburi province.
Mr Witit has insisted paracetamol produced by the GPO is safe for consumers.
He said the ingredients used in making the medicine are examined before production and any contaminated items are returned to suppliers. Only untainted ingredients enter the production process.
Meanwhile, more than 100 GPO workers, led by their labour union chief Rawai Puphaka, gathered at the DSI office to protest against the probe.
Mr Rawai said the GPO's reputation is being damaged by the negative publicity.
He accused the DSI of stirring up the issue in the media before concluding its investigation.
