Dr. Joe Salloum, President of the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists, during a press conference in Lebanon on 2 July 2024. (Screenshot from conference)
BEIRUT — Dr. Joe Salloum, president of the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists, announced on Tuesday that the "threats and slander" he has faced following his investigation into alleged expiration date falsification by Fresh Pharma International (SAL) will not "hinder his work in combating corruption and protecting children in Lebanon."
Speaking at a press conference, Salloum explained that the case began when juvenile judge Joelle Abou Haidar of Mount Lebanon launched an investigation, uncovering tampered expiration dates on around 20 medications and nutritional supplements for infants and children.
In response, Abou Haidar banned Fresh Pharma International, which operates in Lebanon and Canada, from selling or distributing these products. The Order of Pharmacists swiftly informed pharmacies across Lebanon to stop stocking or selling the implicated items due to the severe health risks posed to children.
Salloum reiterated that safeguarding the health and well-being of children and patients is his top priority, calling the issue a "red line." He then detailed that the syndicate had issued directives to pharmacies to cease the distribution of the expired supplements, leading to threats and a defamation campaign against him.
Closely aligned with the Kataeb Party, Salloum is a candidate for the presidency of the Maronite League — with elections set for March.
"If the price for the presidency of the Maronite League or any other political position is the health of children and cancer patients, I prefer our children and patients over any other position," Salloum stated in the press conference.
In an interview with L’Orient Today he conveyed that some media outlets accused him of disregarding the religious affiliation of the company’s director — noting that the director is a Christian.
Commitment to health and accountability amid legal challenges
Salloum emphasized that the presidency of the Maronite League should be seen as a commitment to genuine resistance and patriotism. He warned against using media for threats and retractions, and vowed to continue fighting “for the health of children and patients against counterfeit and low-quality medicines, despite the threats and smear campaigns.”
On Wednesday, Abou Haidar issued a prohibition and a penalty of LL500 million (approximately $4,500 at market rate) for each sale of a product made by Fresh Pharma through a pharmacy or sub-distributor in violation of the judicial measure.
This penalty applies to Fresh Pharma and its co-distributors until investigations are completed by the appeals prosecutor's office and Mount Lebanon investigating judge, Hanna Braidy. The investigations will focus on identifying the perpetrators of the fraud. Copies of the decision were sent to Salloum and caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad.
In a statement on Friday, Salloum asserted that the Order of Pharmacists has dealt with the issue "transparently and impartially" and in close "coordination with the judiciary." He vowed that the Order "will pursue all legal avenues against slander and threats," emphasizing that these actions "will not hinder our commitment to preserving the health of children and the sick."
The situation has sparked widespread support for Salloum and the Syndicate from various sectors.
Maroun Khawli, president of the General Union of Lebanese Workers' Unions, criticized the use of media for threats and coercion in a statement on Monday. He also praised Salloum for "upholding his humanitarian and unionist principles despite facing these threats."
Legally, pharmacies and sub-distributors are not required to check expiration dates inside medication boxes, provided they verify the date on the packaging. However, Abou Haidar's confirmation of discrepancies means no party can justify selling these products by claiming they checked the packaging, the same judiciary source stated.
In March of last year, Abou Haidar had already prohibited the same pharmaceutical company from selling two types of vitamins for infants, Fresh Zinc and Fresh Multiplus, for the same reason of date-tampering. She later transferred the case to the Mount Lebanon Court of Appeal, where the company's director claimed to have sold the products several months before their expiration date. He has not been arrested as investigations are still ongoing.