Pharma trainee steals seven Remdesivir vials from Bengaluru hospital

BENGALURU: Investigation into Remdesivir sale in the black market in Suddaguntepalya has revealed that a pharma trainee had stolen seven vials of the drug from Victoria Hospital and sold them to a medical shop.
The suspect is Mohammed Saqib, 24, a resident of Banashankari 2nd Stage. CCB officers had arrested Saqib along with Rajesh BU, 45, of Arakere Gate on Bannerghatta Road on April 17.
Police said Saqib had joined the pharmacy department of Victoria Hospital two months ago as a trainee. He was assigned to paste stickers on Remdesivir vials. He learnt the drug is in high demand among the public and stole seven vials from the hospital.
Meanwhile, officials from CCB received information that Rajesh of Sri Guru Medicals in KEB Layout on Bannerghatta Road was selling Remdesivir. Venugopal BR, assistant commissioner of police (CCB), formed a team led by Bharath MM. Police approached Rajesh in the guise of customers and asked him for Remdesivir. Rajesh said he would charge Rs 10,500 per vial for the drug, which costs around Rs 899 to Rs 3,490 in the open market.
“We waited there for a few minutes and Saqib arrived and handed over Remdesivir vials to Rajesh. We tried to bargain and reduce the price. But they said they wouldn’t give it for even Re 1 less. Later, we arrested the duo and seized seven Remdesivir vials,” a police officer said.
Further probe revealed Saqib stole Remdesivir from Victoria Hospital and supplied it to various medical shops in the city. Police have registered a case of cheating, forgery and theft against the accused duo with jurisdictional Suddaguntepalya police station. Initially, Suddaguntepalya police were probing the case.
It was later handed over to CCB to find out who all Saqib had supplied Remdesivir to and whether any others are part of Saqib’s operations.