Odisha govt suspends doc couple arrested in anti-cancer drug scam

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Sep 21:

The Odisha government today suspended the doctor couple arrested for allegedly prescribing inferior quality drugs to cancer patients.

The Health department today in an order issued today suspended Dr. Surendranath Senapati, Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology of the Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre (AHRCC) and his wife Dr. Deeptirani Samanta an Assistant Professor in Department of Medical Oncology in the same hospital.

The duo including proprietor of the pharmaceutical manufacturing firm JBSL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Sudhanshu Das which had supplied low-quality drugs meant for cancer patients were arrested by the Vigilance on Friday.

The trio is currently lodged in the Choudwar Circle Jail. Their bail pleas were rejected by the Special Vigilance Court, Cuttack on Saturday.

The doctor couple is also accused of recommending non-reputed pharmaceutical companies to Odisha State Medicine Corporation Limited (OSMCL).

The duo was prescribing anti-cancer drugs of JBSL brand to patients covered under Odisha State Treatment Fund (OSTF) and Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana (BKKY) schemes.

According to reports, the price of the drugs prescribed by the couple was higher compared to competitor brands of reputed companies.

Earlier on August 9, the Vigilance had raided the Majestic Towers residence of the doctor couple in Mangalabag on allegations of amassing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

According to sources, the anti-corruption wing officials had detected assets of around Rs 3.6 crore in their possession. The immovable assets include 12 plots in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Pune. The sleuths detected 1250 gm gold and diamond jewellery, Rs 14.42 lakh cash and bank deposits of Rs 34.51 lakh, market investments of Rs 23.59 lakh and fixed deposits of Rs 9.80 lakh.

The Vigilance had also raided the pharma company’s godowns and a pharmacy shop.