The demand for amphotericin B vials has increased in light of the growing cases of mucormycosis. (Image: Videograb)
The black-marketing epidemic of life-saving products during the pandemic continues unabated when further investigation by India Today TV revealed that unauthorized vendors are selling anti-fungal drugs at outrageous prices amid the rise in black fungus, officially known as mucormycosis becomes.
Up to 28,252 cases of the mutilation infection have been reported across India, of which 86 percent have been detected in Covid-19 patients, government data as of June 7 shows.
India threatens acute #Black mushroom Drug shortages, but there are some people who make money off the misery of patients.
Clock # 6PMPrime to live with @ ankit_tyagi01 pic.twitter.com/p6ikgSqWcL
– IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) June 8, 2021
Vacuuming HIV stocks
As authorities stepped up efforts to increase the availability of amphotericin B injections to overcome the crippling shortage, India Today investigative reporters found unauthorized sellers and middlemen putting the prescription anti-fungal drug on the black market .
Arun Arora, a supplier of pharmacy products in Ludhiana, Punjab, offered the shots, allegedly made by a US drug maker, at more than double their price.
When he met India Today’s undercover reporters in Chandigarh, Arora was charging 13,000 rupees for a 50 mg vial.
He also confessed that the drug, which is also used to treat many opportunistic infections caused by HIV, is being diverted from the Punjab State Aids Control Society and sold to buyers in the area.
“It costs 13,000 rupees. It’s a sealed pack (of ten vials), ”he said.
“How much money in total?” investigated the reporter from India Today.
“Rs 1.30 lakh,” replied Arora. “These (injections) are given daily by the government, the Punjab State Aids Control Society. It’s like being given eight (injections) one day and six the other. I’ll give you ten, three for every two other people, ”said the salesman.
He said the syringes he sold were taken from stocks of HIV / AIDS patients. “It’s like giving one patient eight syringes and the other two six syringes each. The total is 20. I will give you ten of this quota and the rest will be distributed among these (HIV / AIDS) patients. “
HIGH DEMAND, CLOSE TO THE BLACK MARKET
In India, Bharat Seren and Vaccines and BDR Pharmaceuticals are the dominant manufacturers of amphotericin B. Mylan Labs and Cipla import the anti-fungal drug.
As of April 2021, approximately 42,000 amphotericin B vials were manufactured and shipped across the country each month.
As mucormycosis cases skyrocketed, demand for the anti-fungal vaccinations rose 224 percent in May compared to the previous month, industry data shows.
Mohammad Aamir, a pharmacy salesman in Shaheen Bagh, Delhi, offered a brand of amphotericin-B for 20,000 rupees per vial, almost four times the printed price.
“It’s 20,000 (rupees) for one (vial),” he told India Today investigative reporters. “You can scan the barcode on google to get all the details (for authenticity).”
“What’s his MRP?” asked the reporter.
“That’s 5,314 (rupees) per injection,” replied Aamir. “Just tell me how much you want and that amount will be provided.”
A lab technician at Jamia Nagar in Delhi, Mohammed Akhlaque, charged 11,500 rupees for an amphotericin B vial, which he claimed otherwise cost 375 rupees per injection.
“These injections are not available on the market. People (suppliers) know me because I work in a laboratory, ”he said. “The MRP is something Rs 375. It will cost you 11,500 rupees. You will receive the full amount for six injections. I have already sent you the picture of the brand. “
Exposing pandemic profiteers
In a series of revelations, India Today’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has unearthed pandemic profiteers killing life-saving medical supplies and services during the second wave.
When the deadly surge hit the health system, the probes were exposed Ambulance operators charge exorbitant fees to move Covid-19 patients, Black marketing of oxygen and from antiviral remdesivir.
CLOCK: Unmasked: How black market dealers charge excessive prices for black mushroom drugs
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