Gya: Special place in hell for greedy doctors

Locally manufactured HIV/AIDS drugs which are given free to patients, are being sold by some doctors for exorbitant prices. This was revealed by an appalled Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy in a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA).

"It has come to my attention that there are persons who are selling anti-retroviral drugs to patients. These drugs are free of cost," the minister said.

Yesterday he told Stabroek News that while the issue is not widespread he is concerned. He said patients have visited him and complained about the large sums of money they have to pay for just one bottle of triple-therapy drugs at private doctors who have access to the ministry's treatments.

Ramsammy said the ministry pays just under US$20 for a bottle of the drug and from reports he has received some doctors are selling the drug for as high US$100-150 per bottle.