As the demand for anti-viral drug Remdesivir ramps up after massive outbreak of the novel coronavirus in city, many persons related to hospitals indulged in the black-marketing of the life saving drug. Nagpur police have registered eight offences in a week and booked 32 persons, including a doctor and 15 ward boys, so far. As the demand for Remdesivir increased, the State government took control of its distribution in its own hand to prevent illegal storage. As a result, the drug went out of stock from the medical stores.

 

The ward boys from private hospitals started getting hold of the injections of patients admitted. The ward boys indulged in theft of the vials from the hospital while some persons illegally imported the injections from other districts. A Medical Representative was also arrested by the police for the black-marketing. Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Remdesivir is Rs 1,400. However, the injections were sold at the price between Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 per vial. Acting on a tip-off, the police have seized 36 Remdesivir injections from 32 accused persons. Now, the cops are monitoring social media to get the information of black-marketers. Sources informed that some black-marketers are selling the drug in other states too. In the Beltarodi case, investigation revealed that the gang had sold injections to a Delhi patient for Rs 45,000.

 

The police are also monitoring people roaming around the hospital and acting as touts. Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar said, due to shortage of injections, people are forced to buy injections from outside. Black-marketers are taking advantage of this. If an injection is selling at a higher price, please inform the control room immediately, he appealed. The name of the person who gave the information will be kept confidential. He also said that the hospital employees are themselves stealing injections and selling them to patients at high rates. The injections are being stolen from stock. Therefore, the hospital management should keep an eye on their staff.

 

‘Shortage to ease in first week of May’ A Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) agent of Remdesivir injection informed ‘The Hitavada’ that they are not even able to fulfill demand of 50 per cent Remdesivir injections. The shortage will ease in the first week of May, he said and added that they are sending the injections to distributors who forward the stock as per the order of the district administration.