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Premier praises bureau for handling of scandal

Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) yesterday visited the Department of Health (DOH) to congratulate the Bureau of Food Safety for its handling of the melamine scandal, as well as to talk about his expectations for the soon-to-be established Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA).

Liu complimented Health Minister Yeh Ching-chuan (葉金川) and officials at the bureau for their “bravery in facing up to the melamine problem and effective handling of the situation,” Cabinet Spokeswoman Vanessa Shih (史亞平) told a press conference.

Liu also gave voice to his expectations for the TFDA, whose establishment was approved by the Cabinet on Thursday and, if launched, would be responsible for the management and examination of food and drugs and the prevention of controlled substance abuse.

Liu hoped the TFDA would contribute to the development of the nation’s biotechnology industry, Shih said.

“Everyone has very high expectations of the TFDA,” Yeh said. “The DOH should help establish the biotechnology industry in Taiwan ... because it is a good emerging industry.”

Although the director of the TFDA has yet to be announced, Yeh said a candidate had already been chosen. He declined to reveal the person’s identity, but said he or she would be on board next month.

Liu also called on Yeh to create a plan to resolve a problem that has led the central government to confiscate land owned by local governments with National Health Insurance debts.

Although some local governments have unpaid health insurance debts, confiscating land would hamper effective use of the land, so the premier hoped the issues could be handled separately, Yeh said.

The premier also called on the DOH to lead interagency efforts in regulating drugs and preventing drug abuse, Yeh said.

Liu also said he had high expectations of the programs for long-term medical care for the elderly because it was one of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) election promises.

In response to the five points the Control Yuan has called on the DOH to improve, Yeh said the department would humbly accept them, and that “former minister Lin Fang-yue (林芳郁) had already taken responsibility for these problems, so I don’t want to punish anyone else here at the department.”

Yeh is to report on the current financial condition of the NHI to the Executive Yuan today. He declined to comment on whether there would be an adjustment to NHI rates.
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