The Academy of Health Professionals charges that cholesterol medicine that can be manufactured locally at less than USD 2 is being imported at USD 6.
President Ravi Kumudesh speaking at a media briefing today said, loan assistance revived for the health sector is being utilised to purchase medicine at higher prices.
He said the response to the increase in medicine is that it’s purchased from the private sector.
Kumudesh revealed that the medicine is purchased through the Indian credit line, which the government must repay.
He accused health officials of pocketing the funds by making purchases at higher rates.
Kumudesh also called for the suspension of medicine purchases based on the brand name, adding such expenses are unnecessary.
He stated that according to officials the health industry has a shortage of medicines worth Rs.240 million while only Rs.200 million has been allocated for the health industry through the Indian credit line.
