“Frankly, I don’t think this exists. I have no doubt that this Secretary of State will exercise this supervisory role,” said Manuel Pizarro, on the sidelines of the Pharmacists’ Day celebrations, in Sintra, in the Lisbon region.
Aware of the potential conflict of interest, Manuel Pizarro made it clear that he had taken “the most appropriate measure (…)”, entrusting Margarida Tavares with the task of guardianship of the Guild of Nutritionists.
“(…) Since I took office, as Minister, I am aware that with the function of administrative oversight of professional orders, (…) there is this risk of conflict of interest and I have taken the action which seems to have been emphasized and that I will delegate this supervisory function to the Nutritionists Guild To the Secretary of State for Health Promotion.”
In response to a question about the reasons why Margarida Tavares has not yet been included in the Diario da Republica newspaper, the official indicated that “it was necessary to wait for the inauguration of foreign ministers”, and then “organize the whole process of delegation of powers”.
He reiterated, “It’s a lucky opportunity to even have a Secretary of State for Health Promotion. I think the tutelage of the Nutritionists’ Guild has been well handed over to the Secretary of State for Health Promotion,” noting that “certainly you will not go through an order from the Minister.” [da Saúde]”.
He stressed that “if the Secretary of State is responsible for this, there is no need for her to go through the minister.”
Manuel Pizarro’s comments came after news broke of a possible conflict of interest between the government official, as he is married to the president of the Union of Nutritionists Alexandra Pinto.
The Guild of Nutritionists was created in 2011, with the approval of the current Minister of Health, who at that time served as Secretary of State for Health.
Also, Alexandra Pinto was the only head of occupational health orders to attend Manuel Pizarro’s September 10 opening ceremony.
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