Police arrest man involved in black-marketing of Actemra drug

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi police’s special branch claimed to have apprehended a key member of a gang involved in black-marketing of Actemra – an anti-inflammatory drug being used to treat coronavirus patients.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tahir Anees, on a tip-off,  police traced and arrested the accused with the help of modern technology for allegedly selling Actemra injection in the black market at rates six to eight percent higher than those fixed by the government.

The police officials further said the arrest was made on public complaints about hoarding and black-marketing of the drug.

Earlier, the district deputy drug controller and police conducted a raid in Lahore and arrested a gang selling the life-saving injection at an exorbitant price.

The injection had a market price of 12,000, which was being sold at a staggering Rs 2, 50,000 to 6, 00,000. The officials also recovered several vials of Actemra from the possession of the gang.

On Monday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza had announced that health ministry would take stern action against elements involved in overcharging or black marketing of life-saving drugs used by COVID-19 patients.

Talking to a private news channel, Mirza said that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had been instructed to make sure the availability of medicines used for the management of COVID-19 patients.

The minister said that the public had been encouraged to inform DRAP on its toll-free number 0800-03727 in case they have been over-charged for the injections.