NBI subpoenas 7 hospitals over overpriced Remdesivir

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has subpoenaed seven hospitals for allegedly overpricing the investigational antiviral drug against COVID-19.

The NBI will look into patients’ allegations that the Remdesivir vials were sold in these hospitals for P12,000 to P15,000, up to as high as P30,000 per vial.

Among the hospitals subpoenaed were the Metro North Medical Center and Diliman Doctors Hospital in Quezon City, St. Clare’s Medical Center in Makati, City of Imus Doctors Hospital in Cavite, Assumption Specialty Hospital and Medical Center in Antipolo, Allied Care Experts Medical Center in Pateros and Manila East Medical Center in Taytay, Rizal.

Representatives of the hospitals explained to the NBI that they did not receive copies of the Department of Health (DOH) memoranda on the suggested retail price (SRP), according to the NBI Special Action Unit executive officer Kristine dela Cruz.

The hospital representatives also blamed the suppliers for increasing the price.

The DOH released two memoranda putting an SRP on the investigational drug – a Sept. 9, 2020 memorandum put the SRP for a 100 milligram Remdesivir vial at P7,000 to P15,000, but an April 19, 2021 memorandum lowered the price to P1,500 to P8,200.

The hospital management could face charges for violating Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act. The NBI will summon seven more hospitals next week to explain the alleged overprice.

State insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) forwarded the complaints to the NBI for its investigation, the lead agent said.

PhilHealth is currently headed by NBI’s former director, Dante Gierran.

The NBI started investigating the Remdesivir overprice following the arrest by the NBI-Special Task Force of four persons for the unauthorized and overpriced sale of the drug last month.

The NBI has also arrested a Manila nurse and two others for the unauthorized sale of 300 Sinovac vaccines.