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CHC belies ‘closure’ of in-house pharmacy
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Posted on Aug 26 2008
The Commonwealth Health Center has belied rumors about the closure of the government-operated pharmacy inside the hospital.
Speaking on behalf of Public Health Secretary Kevin Joseph Villagomez, who is on leave, department legal counsel Alex Gorman confirmed yesterday that the in-house or in-patient pharmacy is fully operational and it has never been closed.
Pharmacy staff declined to answer questions but pointed this reporter to acting Secretary John Flores, who referred the issue to the legal counsel.
Gorman said the closure rumor might have been a result of the recent veto made by the Governor regarding the exemption of professionals from the salary cap.
Last week, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial vetoed the bill allowing the government to pay medical and other professionals in various fields higher than the $50,000 annual salary cap.
The bill states that an exception to the ceiling on government salaries should be mandated so that the CNMI can attract and retain competent healthcare professionals and those in other fields.
The bill repealed and reenacted a certain provision on Public Law 15-81, exempting licensed medical professionals, Commonwealth-licensed attorneys, certified public accountants, surveyors, engineers and architects from receiving only the maximum annual salary of $50,000.
Medical professionals include physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, clinical and counseling psychologists, physician assistants, psychiatrists, respiratory therapists, clinical social workers, among others.
There are currently two pharmacists as well as several other staff and technicians employed at the in-house pharmacy.
Gorman said this unit supplies all the medications for all the different departments in the hospital.
A private pharmacy, PHI Pharmacy, is also operating inside the hospital, located just at the main entrance of the building.
