The SSU Military Counterintelligence has dismantled a large-scale scheme involving the sale of medicines to healthcare facilities, particularly of the Defence Forces, at inflated prices. The scheme resulted in budget losses totalling over UAH 80 million (USD 1.8 mln).

Following operations in the Kyiv, Lviv regions and Dnipro, four representatives of commercial organisations have been detained for selling medicines to healthcare facilities at inflated prices.

These were primarily medical products used in resuscitation, anaesthesiology and intensive care, as well as for treating complex infections.

According to the investigation, the suspects purchased medicines from manufacturers and importers, then sold them to state-funded healthcare facilities at prices exceeding the state-set 10 per cent mark-up limit.

Furthermore, it has been documented that the dealers used affiliated companies to create artificial tax credits and then convert the illegally obtained funds into cash.

During searches of the suspects’ homes and offices, documents, computer equipment, telephones, bank cards, seals and electronic media containing evidence of the offence were seized.

The four suspects have now been served with notices of suspicion under Article 191.5 of the CCU (misappropriation, embezzlement or acquisition of property through abuse of official position, committed on a particularly large scale or by an organised group).

The court is to decide on custody as a measure of restraint for the suspects.

The investigation is ongoing. The perpetrators face up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.