Important questions for Mr. Oram
1. When he was negotiating to buy pharmacies was he the Minister of Business or the Minister of Health?
2. Would he be in conflict when serving as either Minister while at the same time using the knowledge he has in those portfolios and applying that directly to business acquisitions?
3. When Mr. Oram says he would buy pharmacies then or now - what price is he talking about?
4. When Mr. Oram says the pharmacies would have to "adjust their businesses" what does he mean? Is he saying that services would have to be cut for seniors? Would there be mass layoffs? Would the hours and accessibility change?
5. Oram says not "every" rural pharmacy would close - what one's does he believe will close?
6. Did Mr. Oram divulge financial information to his colleagues in government that was attained confidentially?
Mr. Oram remains a voice-box for government and where Minister Tom Marshall silenced all MHA's on the issue publicly (like a dictator) - the government is now going to send out ex-MHA's and ex-Ministers.
Below is the transcript from VOCM's Open-Line
| PAUL ORAM: Yeah, the comments on the pharmacists, talking about pharmacies and so on. You know, we looked at buying a couple of pharmacies a few years ago. I can tell you that, you know, the negotiations stopped because the owners decided not to sell. And it was two independent pharmacies. And I can tell you right now that if the pharmacists and if anybody wants to sell me pharmacies today, I'm open for business. I'll buy them. I mean these pharmacies are making a whole lot of money. The generic drug business is making a whole lot of money. And yes, the margins may be cut a bit. Like everybody we have to adjust our businesses every day for different things to change our margins. But the reality is, these pharmacies are still worth a lot of money. | |
| RANDY SIMMS: So you don't accept the argument from these independent pharmacists that in actual fact the loss of these professional fees or pharmaceutical rebates will mean the demise of their business. You don't believe that. | |
| PAUL ORAM: Absolutely not. They may have to adjust their business somehow to make it work more properly or make it work differently. I mean the reality is that this is a law that's put forth in Canada. These rebates have been coming in and I think government turned a blind eye to it for years. That's the reality. But at the end of the day, they're making a whole lot of money. And should they make money? Yes, they should. I think everybody should make money, you know, and the more they make the better. But you know, the province has an opportunity here to save some money and save a lot of money, by the way. So we have to look at every possible way to save money. I mean this is not the demise of every small pharmacy in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, in Newfoundland and Labrador in general. I mean this is just, this is going to have to be an adjustment that's made by the pharmacies to ensure that they keep their business viable. And I believe these businesses are very viable and I heard some comments -- | |
| RANDY SIMMS: And you, Paul Oram, businessman, you're ready to buy a couple if they're willing to sell them. | |
| PAUL ORAM: I want them. Ask them to give me a call. I'll buy them right now. | |
| RANDY SIMMS: I got to end on that note, Paul. | |
1 comment:
If it Quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, smells like a duck, then most likely it is a duck.
When I heard Mr. Oram on VOCM yesterday lambasting a couple of people who called VOCM earlier regarding the neglect in rural Newfoundland and Labrador and crowing about how well his businesses were doing, I asked myself the question: Is this man in Conflict of Interest with what he is revealing? It sure sounded to be the case to me, but I don't know what the ruling party of today is willing to accept in what former politicians talk about.
I began to wonder if he was getting special treatment for his businesses from the Conservative government. I sort of think many others listeners might be thinking the same thoughts.
AND Why did he further abuse Brad Cabana, above the abuse the Conservative party has already inflicted on the man. Mr. Cabana is a very articulate and capable candidate for the Liberal party and I think they are worried about his good chance of being elected. I think he is very electable and when he calls VOCM he engages in conversation about really what ails us in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. I think the Liberals have an excellent candidate in Mr. Cabana, I hope he wins.
Post a Comment