Pharmacists were disrespected, looked down upon by the cultural elite, and had a falling out with his minister – a portrait of the arrested Balázs Hankó

Hankó Balázs, a former minister and Fidesz MP, was arrested due to his involvement in the NKA scandal. Despite earning a pharmacy degree from Semmelweis University, he lacked recognition in the pharmacy profession. His career progressed rapidly in academia and politics, aided by his father, Hankó Zoltán, president of the Hungarian Pharmaceutical Chamber. Balázs held various advisory roles in government before becoming a deputy state secretary and later a minister. His political ascent is attributed to his father's influence, as many pharmacists believe Zoltán played a significant role in shaping his son's career. Balázs was detained on September 28, 2023, amid the ongoing scandal.