‘Gangs using docs, hosp staff to sell Covid drugs in black market’
Chandan Kumar
LUCKNOW: Several gangs involved in black marketing of Remdesivir and other Covid-19 drugs are using doctors, nurses and other hospital staff to sell the drugs to patients at exorbitant rates, say UP police officials.
At least three doctors, two hospital managers and eight nursing staff have been arrested by the state police in the last 10 days in this connection. Last week, two doctors of a private medical college in Lucknow were arrested by police for selling Remdesivir injection to relatives of patient at exorbitant rates. The accused Dr Athar, 29, and Dr Samrat Pandey, 22, were arrested along with two other members of the gang involved in selling Covid-19 drugs in black.
The gang members approached them for their access inside the hospital and contact with patients and their family members. DCP (west) of Lucknow Devesh Pandey said, “The gang members lured in the two doctors with promise of cash. They managed to sell the drug through the doctors on several occasions and were caught after a relative of the patient informed police about their activities.”
The police arrested a hospital owner in Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow for selling a Remdesivir injection purchased for Rs 10,000 to patients at his hospital for Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000. Three others involved in supplying the injections were also arrested. Sold in market for around Rs 3,000 per vial, Remdesivir is administered to serious Covid-19 patients.
A case against a hospital manager in Barabanki was also lodged for spreading rumours about the shortage of oxygen to avoid admission of critical patients. Additional director general of police (law and order) Prashant Kumar said, “Several gangs involved in selling Covid-19 drugs like Remdesivir have come to our notice across the state. District police units and special task force are arresting people involved in such activities.”
On Monday, three nursing staff of Rama Medical College were arrested for selling Remdesivir drug meant for patients, outside in black.
Earlier, four male staff nurses of KGMU were arrested by police on separate occasions for their involvement in sale of Remdesivir injections at the behest of people involved in sale of drugs in black.
“Links with hospital staff make it easier for black marketeers to sell the drugs. They also use the hospital staff as mules to carry the Covid-19 drugs in and out of the hospital easily,” said the DCP.