Trade union alleges health ministry trying to order Ganciclovir and Linezolid injections at 10 times their market price

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Some senior health ministry officials are trying to buy Ganciclovir and Linezolid injections at ten times their market price, College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh said.The average market price of the Ganciclovir injection was Rs. 7,000 and Linezolid injection was sold at Rs 220, he said.

“However, some officials are trying to buy the Ganciclovir injection at Rs. 77,000 and Linezolid injection at Rs. 2,200. These purchases are to be made using Asian Development Bank (ADB) funds,” he said.

Procurement guidelines were being manipulated and the ministry must take steps to stop these irregularities, Kumudesh said.Ganciclovir is an antiviral medication and Linezolid is used to treat bacterial infections.Attempts to contact the Secretary of Health, Janaka Sri Chandraguptha were in vain.