Final Word from Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Health Minister David Rath could give Jiří Paroubek, Václav Klaus and Miloš Zeman lessons in self-confidence, but he was visibly shaken when he had to go before the cameras and address the issue of corruption in setting drug policy. His long-time associate, Eva Klimovičová, was caught on tape apparently trying to sell overpriced ad space in the Medical Chamber's journal to Pfizer in exchange for favorable drug-reimbursement treatment. Rath was on the all-important categorization committee for years. To save himself, Rath threw Klimovičová overboard yesterday and blamed any corruption on international drug companies. When another multinational, Kapsch, was accused of corruption, Paroubek ordered an investigation and threatened the political execution of KDU Minister Milan Šimonovský. Equal treatment for his own minister is the least Paroubek could do.[Czech Republic magazine pharmaceutical e-tolls KDU-ČSL advertising Transport Minister]