Large scale fraud and corruption takes place in the import process : Pharmaceutical importer

Colombo (News 1st): The recording of evidence of the Presidential Commission to inquire fraud and corruption at state institutions during the past 4 years will begin on Monday (April 1). The commission stated that notices have been issued to the Director General of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority to record evidence on the financial malpractices during the importation of medicine to the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital. A representative of the importers of drugs said that even though the government claims to provide drugs at a low price, large scale fraud and corruption takes place in the import process. He said recently a vaccination worth Rs. 49,600 was brought down from Russia without any tender process, whereas the same American standard vaccination could have been obtained for Rs. 35,000. He further stated that 27 doctors have filed a petition against these malpractices. He filed charges against the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation as a Rs. 8.5 billion fraud has taken place due to this action.