Investigations begin to purchase essential drugs by 2000 % more expensive than real prices

From this institution reports that State Chief Prosecutor's Office Attorney Besim Kelmendi, through an informational email to the “Institute Columbus” has clarified that at his initiative the report was sent to Pristina Foundation Prosecutor for further investigation.

“announced that based on the report “The drug acquisitions of the drugs of the list more expensive than the prices on the market”, which you published yesterday, I today, by the date 30.05.18, have submitted the same report to the Founding Prosecutor in Pristina and have asked to start collecting information for verifications of the allegations raised”, the prosecutor's email says.

Yesterday Institute “Columbus” has presented the report, in which it has confirmed that the Health Ministry has abused the budget for the purchase of essential drugs for public hospitals by buying them more expensive than the actual prices of 100 percent to 2,000 percent. Drug abuse has been valuable for millions and has begun to take place since the beginning of 2016.

“Institute “Columbus” welcomes the State Prosecutor's preparedness to allay allegations of misuse of Essencial List drugs and expects this institution to be detailed in this case. Institute “Columbus” will continue to monitor the purchase of drugs through public procurement, and actions that justice institutions will take when it comes to allegations of misuse in this area”, the Institute says.

The report and the documentary “Department of pharmaceutical misuse” has been supported by KFOS ) the Kosovar Foundation for Open Society.

*Institute “Columbus” is a member of the Coalition for Opening Data and Accounting in Public Procuration Procurement.