PAAC Pharmaceuticals Inquiry Adjourned To April 27th
The much-anticipated Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) meeting on the State’s acquisition of pharmaceuticals was abruptly called off on Monday.
The hearing was scheduled to be conducted in public from 1:30pm on Monday. However, in an unusual move, PAAC Chairman, Jagdeo Singh, announced the adjournment of proceedings.
« Something quite regrettable has occurred that compels this Committee to adjourn these proceedings. It is regrettable, but it is unavoidable and I wish to place on record my apology to the public for these proceedings not moving forward. »
The examination into the State’s acquisition of pharmaceuticals focuses on the current processes governing their importation and approval.
Previous sittings of the inquiry found that there was widespread abuse in the system for issuing special import permits to pharmaceutical companies, as well as the absence of a public list of approved pharmaceuticals allowed to enter Trinidad and Tobago.
Chairman Singh acknowledged the increased public interest the proceedings have garnered, and apologised to the public for the adjournment.
« I did not think that that was a tenable position to adopt having regard to the large following this public inquiry has garnered and I think we owe a duty to the public to at least explain why. I cannot go into the reason why for members we have had an extensive discussion amongst ourselves, I do not propose to go into the reasons why, all I can say is to use the neutral term, it is regrettable but unavoidable that we have to adjourn. »
The Committee was adjourned to April 27th at 1:30pm.
