Bihar: Two nabbed, one evading arrest for stealing black fungus injections from Madhubani hospital

PATNA: Two pharmacists posted at sadar hopistal in Madhubani were arrested on late Friday night while a nurse is evading arrest for allegedly stealing 20 costly vials of antifungal injection Liposomal Amphotericin-B meant for treatment of black fungus (mucormycosis) taking place in Covid-19 patients and black-marketing them.
The drugs were originally donated to central government by World Health Organisation (WHO).They were kept in a refrigerator inside drug store room of the sadar hospital pharmacy from where they were found missing on Friday after monthly reconciliation of drugs left in storage.
Town police station SHO Amit Kumar said that the arrested pharmacists are Jaiprakash Kumar and Bhrigunath Prasad.
“A nurse Chandrakala Devi is evading arrest. Police are trying to trace her location,” he said. Kumar said that the FIR has been lodged against the trio by sadar hospital deputy superintendent Devshankar Mishra.
“He has mentioned that these vials were for treatment of patients suffering from black fever (kala-azar). However, police have come to know that the drug is also used for treatment of black-fungus presently infecting Covid-19 patients,” he said.
SHO said that both the arrested pharmacists have not disclosed anything related to whereabouts of the vials.
Madhubani civil surgeon Dr Sunil Kumar Jha said each vial of the drug costs around Rs 7000 in open market.
“Centre supplied them to state government after which altogether 230 vials were given to Madhubani district in April last year. This drug was supplied for treatment of black-fever (kala-azar) but the same one is used for treatment of mucormycosis which has been declared epidemic by state government,” he said these are used in treatment of required patients without charging any money from them.
He said that soon after the matter flashed, 20 empty vials of the same drug were found placed inside the refrigerator instead of the sealed vials.
“Both pharmacists have been suspended. Letter has been written to district health society for taking action against data operator Mohan Kumar Jha who used to work inside the pharmacy store room along with the two pharmacists and the nurse,” he added.