8 nabbed for selling free medicine for dialysis patients

The National Bureau of Investigation Special Task Force arrested eight individuals for unauthorized selling of government medicines intended for dialysis patients.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras,” the group was able to get the medicines from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute using guarantee letters from Congress.

The NBI said the medicines were intended for patients under the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients.

Upon the complaint of the NKTI, the NBI then conducted a surveillance operation which resulted in the procurement of several boxes of medicines used by dialysis patients.

“Sa walo pong hinuli natin ay isa lang po ang totoong may sakit pero ang ano pa po ay patay na po ‘yong isang nahuli natin, patay na po ang pasyente nila pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang pagkuha nila ng tulong,” NBI special task force executive officer Atty. Bernard dela Cruz said.

“Mayroon po tayong mga nahuli na halos nakakakuha ng 10 hanggang 15 guarantee letters sa isang buwan na nag-gagarantidad po ng 50 hanggang 100 buwan-buwan,” he added.

NBI director Eric Distor said the special task force will continue its investigation and set counteraction measures against individuals engaged in this modus.

“Nakakalungkot na hindi nakakuha ng gamot ang ilan sa ating may sakit na kababayan dahil sa modus ng grupong ito. Tuloy ang followup operation ng ating operatiba para makuha ang lahat ng suspek na pinagkakitaan ang mga guarantee letters ng ating mambabatas,” Distor said.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News