Unregistered oncology drugs scheme exposed in Zaporizhia – National Police

Law enforcement in Zaporizhia exposed a scheme for the illegal import and sale of unregistered medicines for cancer patients and notified its organizers of suspicion, the National Police of Ukraine said.

"The head of a department at one of the medical institutions and a pharmacy manager were notified of suspicion. For prescribing specific drugs to patients and directing them to designated suppliers, the medical worker systematically received an unlawful benefit. The representative of the pharmaceutical business, in turn, sold patients medicines not registered in Ukraine," the statement said.

Entrepreneurs, together with medical institution officials, organized a supply channel for drugs from abroad bypassing established procedures. The medicines, specifically for the treatment of cancer patients, were imported illegally and sold to patients through pharmacies.

The department head systematically received unlawful benefits for prescribing specific drugs and directing patients to managers of certain pharmacies. Drivers of international flights who transported the drugs from abroad, as well as entrepreneurs from Chernivtsi region who sent unregistered drugs to Zaporizhia by mail, were also involved in the scheme.

Law enforcement conducted searches at the residences of the suspects, in the medical institution, the pharmacy and at other individuals connected to the scheme in Zaporizhia, Chernivtsi and Chernivtsi region. Documentation, records, mobile phones and data storage devices relevant to the investigation were seized.

The pharmacy manager and the hospital department head have been notified of suspicion. Their actions, depending on their roles in the scheme, are classified under Part 1 and Part 3 of Article 354 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (bribery of an employee of an enterprise, institution or organization).

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Further measures are being taken to bring other participants to justice.