Brother of O.W. mayor defends cost of pharmaceuticals
But while Dr. Allen denied knowledge of any contract worth millions with Southern Medical Imports, there is still the case of the Antonio de La Fuente Pharmacy that has been supplying pharmaceuticals at ridiculously high prices. The owner of that pharmacy, Antonio De la Fuente, the brother of the Orange Walk Mayor, told us his prices are high because of the brand of medicines he imports. But the doctors say that is hogwash. And as far as the Ministry of Health is concerned, C.E.O., Dr. Peter Allen says they are not the ones responsible for the business arrangements for the K.H.M.H, which falls squarely under them.
Dr Peter Allen, CEO, Ministry of Health (Via Phone)
“The ministry does not micro-manage any of its institutions. The Karl Heusner Board has a management team and the management team run the hospital and run the subvention and provide reports.”
Marion Ali
“Are you telling me that the Ministry or the Minister has no influence whatsoever on what goes on at Karl Heusner?”
Dr. Peter Allen
“No I’m not saying that. The Minister appoints a Board of Directors and the Chairman on the advice of Cabinet and that Board of Directors runs the institution through a management team. I saw the newscast and I received the information that you’ve given me and it certainly seems to me to merit investigation and I’m sure that that investigation will be done and that is one of the reasons why the board had wanted an audit, for all kinds of financial reasons at the hospital.”
Antonio de la Fuente, Owner, De la Fuente Pharmacy (via phone)
“I am not the recipient of a contract to supply those items. I supplied them under crisis situation because the contract winner obviously did not have those items at the moment.”
Marion Ali
“Your prices seem to be much higher than the other suppliers.”
Antonio de la Fuente
“Okay, well then maybe that is the reason why I did not win the contract for those particular items; because my prices were high.”
Dr. Martha Habet, Treasurer, B.M.D.A.
“If you could buy something cheaper at better quality and you could buy it for a better price, with that money left you could buy some other things that are also needed, then it’s better.”
Marion Ali
“But is brand a big issue here?”
Dr. Martha Habet
“Not in reality because as you know right now we know that some generics are as good quality as the brand names so that is not an issue.”
