MACC report over alleged medical supplies monopoly

SHAH ALAM: A member of parliament yesterday lodged a police report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on alleged monopoly of tender awards for medical supplies to the Health Ministry from 2013 to 2016.

Klang MP Charles Santiago said he also handed over 13 documents of 150 pages which included the names of political figures, senior Health Ministry officials and individuals connected to politicians who were believed to be agents or middlemen for three pharmaceutical companies.

The companies allegedly monopolised the supply of medicine to the government estimated to be worth between RM3.7 billion and RM4.8 billion.

Santiago claimed the companies were connected to well-known international pharmaceutical chains but declined to identify them as he feared it would jeopardise investigations.

“I want the MACC to investigate these companies and the individuals named in the documents I submitted, as well as the politicians involved who have been previously charged with corruption.

“The government officials who were the middlemen have clearly violated MACC laws. I urge the MACC to investigate the companies, officials, amount of commissions, and other matters related to the monopoly,” he told reporters when met after lodging the report at the Selangor MACC office here.

Santiago further claimed that the presence of agents or middlemen was one of the causes for the high price of medicine in the country, at 30 to 148 per cent more than other countries including Australia.

“For instance, the price of cancer medicine here is between RM2,000 and RM9,000; this is very high, especially for lowincome patients,” he said.

He also urged the Health Ministry to do away with agents and middlemen in the procurement of medical supplies. - Bernama