‘Black fungus’ drug too now sold in black in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Just a few days after cases of the dangerous ‘black fungus’ infection (mucormycosis), a post Covid-19 complication, were reported in the city, crooked black marketeers are already on the job, exploiting patients staring at death by selling a potentially life-saving drug for the infection at Rs.50,000 instead of its original price of around Rs.8,000.

The North Zone Task Force on Monday nabbed four persons who were illegally selling Liposomal amphotericin B injections at Kachiguda. They were selling the injection at Rs.50,000 a vial, with the police seizing five vials from them. The arrested persons were Yadaiah, a medicine supplier, Satish, Sai Kumar, both pharmacy employees and Rajashekar Reddy, a medical representative.

According to the police, high demand for the Liposomal amphotericin B injection had led to a shortage, with crooks being quick to jump in to exploit the situation.

“It normally does not cost more than Rs.7,858, depending on the manufacturer. They were selling it at Rs.50,000,” an official said, adding that the suspects had illegally procured the injection at low rates from known dealers or medical staff and were selling it to needy customers, without valid documents.

“All the suspects into medical business or medical representatives or healthcare professionals. They used this to target gullible people who were in desperate need of the injection for their family members and sold it at Rs.50,000,” the official.

Following a tip-off, the police nabbed the gang while trying to sell the injections at Kachiguda.

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