Drug available on black market at 10 times the price

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, July 13

With the shortage of Covid drugs such as Remdesivir in Delhi and other cities in the National Capital Region (NCR), Gurugram has caught the attention of black marketeers. It is the only city in the NCR that has ensured consistent supply of drugs to critical Covid patients at MRP.

'Price capped'

From Day one, we ensured that the Covid drugs are procured on company-to-hospital basis. These cannot be sold or bought from pharmacists directly. The price has been capped. Every evening, hospitals report to us the stock and injections available with them. — Amandeep Chauhan, Drug controller

Many fraudulent agents buy the drugs from here and then sell them at ten times the price in Delhi and nearby cities such as Noida. For example, Remdesivir which is priced at Rs 5,400 per vial is being sold for as high as Rs 30,000 on the black market.

The local Drug Department, which is on high alert after reports of black marketing poured in, has barred city hospitals from dispensing Covid drugs to any non-IPD (in-patient department) patient.

"Remdesivir is given to only critical Covid patients. Only IPD patients require it," Drug Controller Amandeep Chauhan said.

He further said, "From Day one, we ensured that the Covid drugs (Remdesivir, Favipiravir and Tocilizumab) are procured on company-to-hospital basis. These cannot be sold or bought from pharmacists directly. The price has been capped. Every evening, hospitals report to us the stock and injections available with them. In this way, we can keep tabs on the consumption of drugs."

As of now, Chauhan said, Gurugram had no shortage of drugs. "As reports pour in about people procuring the drugs fraudulently, we have stepped up our vigilance," he added.

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