Cancer drug syndicate operating in Patna city

Patna, Feb 2016: Even as the world observed Cancer Day on Thursday, the state health department is grappling with an alleged 'cancer drug syndicate' being operated in the state capital.
Acting on a probe report submitted by a drug inspector (DI) on January 15, 2016, the health department formed a panel to further probe the matter. The panel comprised IGIMS director N K Biswas and a joint secretary-level officer of the state health department. However, the report is yet to see the light of the day even as the panel was supposed to submit its report by January 25.
"A section of oncologists in connivance with drug firms are prescribing a particular drug which is made available by a particular marketing agency and stocked at a few shops through an agent. This is a syndicate operated by a mafia by misleading the drug control department" says the DI's report, a copy of which is in possession of TOI.
The report opens a can of worms. "All irregularities are centred around the IGIMS and its vicinity," it says. According to the report, two pharma firms have entered into an agreement with a Patna-based marketing firm, allegedly owned by a doctor. "Zentac Pharma Pvt Ltd (Chandigarh) and Admac Lifesciences (Panchkula) signed an agreement with Ayon Healthcare Private Limited. The address of Ayon is Vishal Residency, Flat no. 305/5, Wing-5, Rajabazar, Bailey Road, Patna-14. This is the residence of the government doctor. Would the government like to probe the doctor in this regard?" the report asks.
That a doctor's flat is being used as the drug firms' marketing agency office assumes significance because, adds the report, a section of doctors are prescribing only these firms' drugs.
Another issue plaguing the state is sale of cancer drugs at "inflated" price.
The drug control department had on January 7 this year reached an agreement with the dealers who committed that they would not sell cancer drugs at the maximum retail price, but at the price calculated after adding 25% profit to the original landing price.
This would have drastically reduce the price. However, a recent report submitted by drug inspector Vikas Shiromani says the agreement was being brazenly violated.

The Times of India