The press office of the Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Firas Al-Abyad, issued the following statement: "The investigation committee formed by Minister Al-Abyad on August 17 continues its work, consisting of an administrative inspector and several stakeholders from the pharmacy inspection department, the medical committee for cancer medications, and the information department at the Ministry of Public Health. They are verifying the information circulated in the media regarding the disappearance of cancer medications shortly after being delivered to the warehouses of the Ministry of Public Health. The medications in question are: Obdivo, Tecentriq, Ibrance, Xtandi. The committee will conduct auditing and investigations with all relevant parties over a two-week period to confirm any violations and establish responsibilities if found."
Al-Abyad asserted that "the ministry takes this matter very seriously. If any breach of the law, medical commitment, or ethical standards is identified, the file will be referred to the public prosecutor for necessary action." The Minister of Health added, "What has been witnessed regarding the medication file since the onset of the financial crisis confirms the correctness of what the Ministry of Public Health seeks, which is a strategic shift in monitoring and controlling the movement of medications through modern computerized programs and systems. This begins by establishing a health number for patients that allows for auditing of medical files alongside tracking the medication's movement from the moment of its arrival in Lebanon until it is delivered to the patient or the treating hospital."
