BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Monday created 22 enforcement squads to prevent hoarding of medicines and medical facilities that are essential for the treatment of critical
Covid patients. While seven flying squads have been stationed in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the other fifteen units would carry out enforcement drives against hoarders in other parts of the state.
The enforcement squads comprise officers from the police, special task force (STF),
Crime Branch and drug inspectors (health department). On April 16, the state government constituted a 3-member committee headed by additional director general of police (Crime Branch) Yeshwant Jethwa to prevent black-marketing of Covid drugs.
Jethwa on Monday convened a meeting with drugs controller, officers of the commissionerate police, Crime Branch and STF for prevention of hoarding and black marketing of
Covid medicines and medical supplies.
“Our verification drive is already underway. Verification of records and stocks covering the entire supply chain has been initiated. Sharp vigil and surveillance has been launched and intelligence network intensified. Strong action under criminal laws will be taken against anyone indulging in hoarding, black marketing or any illegal acts,” Jethwa told media persons.
Government said they have not yet come across any black marketing of Covid drugs. However, the government is jittery in the wake of the acute shortage of anti-viral drug, remdesivir, and medical oxygen in several states, including
Maharashtra.
The committee will find out the causes of the hoarding and whether remdesivir is being illegally sold to patients by chemists. The anti-viral drug should only be supplied to the hospitals, not to patients directly.
“The Covid caseload has been rising rapidly and demand for drugs like remdesivir is growing. There could be an alarming shortage of essential medicines and subsequent black-marketing by stockists. Unless we take preventive steps now, situation may slip out of control,” a health department official said. Remdesivir is being used to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients.