Vigilance nabs hopital staff for black marketeering Remdesivir

While hospitals across the country are reeling under a severe shortage of the life-saving drug — Remdesivir, black marketeers are trying to capitalise on the situation.

Vishakapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): Nurses of a private hospital located in Ramnagar were nabbed by the state vigilance officials while trying to sell the Remdesivir injections at black market rates.

A case was booked against the health workers who indulged in this illegal activity.

While hospitals across the country are reeling under a severe shortage of the life-saving drug — Remdesivir, black marketeers, trying to capitalise on the situation, are on the rise.

Following an investigation, it has been revealed that the Remdesivir injections that were procured for Covid-19 patients were not given to them. Instead, the investigation found that the records were being falsified, and actual injections were being sold on the black market.

Visakhapatnam Vigilance officials nabbed three nurses and two hospital housekeeping employees who were involved in the black marketeering of the Remdesivir injections.

Regional Vigilance Officer (RVO) G.Swaruparani was also alerted about the incident.

On Monday night, vigilance officers under the auspices of RVO went to the hospital drug store, pretending to be a covid victim's relatives, and asked for a Remdesivir injection. The officials reportedly got a break in the case after a man outside the medical store tried to tout the injections to them.

During questioning, the man revealed that seven injections had been sold unofficially. The injections that cost Rs. 5,400 were being sold by the staff for Rs 10,000 each.

Unaware to the hospital management, lower-level hospital staff were found guilty of misconduct. RVO Swaruparani said a case was registered after the accused were handed over to the police.