When morality is sold, the pill becomes a crime.

Sophisticated tricks, aimed directly at the elderly

A serious case, a horrifying crime in the pharmaceutical industry, and a wake-up call that shook the entire pharmaceutical management system. That is no longer a comment – ​​it is the reality that exists in the case of counterfeit drugs worth 200 billion VND discovered in Thanh Hoa.

Using sophisticated tricks, these criminals have turned the pain of the elderly into an opportunity for profit. The pill – which was expected to cure diseases – has become a silent killer in the hands of people who have no humanity left.

According to initial investigation results, the group led by Nguyen Tien Dat (residing in Hanoi) and Trinh Doan Giao (residing in Ho Chi Minh City) organized the production of fake medicine targeting the most vulnerable group - the elderly.

The amount of fake modern medicine and ingredients amounted to nearly 10 tons. Photo: Thanh Hoa Provincial Police

Taking advantage of the habit of buying medicine without a prescription, lack of knowledge and the mentality that "cheap medicine also works", they invested in modern production lines, bought raw materials of unknown origin, hired people to mix powder, make capsules, blister packs, box, put fake labels on them and then released them to the market under the name of medicine for treating bone and joint pain, numbness in hands and feet.

According to the investigation agency, the total value of goods that the subjects produced and consumed was up to 200 billion VND. This is an especially serious number, far exceeding the highest penalty level under Article 194 of the Penal Code.

Thanh Hoa Provincial Police Department has prosecuted 14 defendants, expanded the investigation of the case, and clarified the actions of each related subject.

Lawyer Dang Van Cuong: May face death penalty

“The crime of producing and trading fake medicine is an especially dangerous act, not only a commercial fraud but also a direct violation of people's health and lives,” said Dr. Lawyer Dang Van Cuong, Head of Chinh Phap Law Office.

Dr. Lawyer Dang Van Cuong emphasized that according to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 194 of the Penal Code, if the illegal profit is from 2 billion VND or more or causes serious consequences such as death or major property damage, the highest penalty is death.

“In this case, the total value of the goods is up to 200 billion VND, which is extremely serious. The defendants can be completely punished with the highest penalty – life imprisonment or death penalty,” lawyer Cuong emphasized.

More worryingly, the pharmaceutical business licensing and monitoring system has many loopholes. According to lawyer Cuong, the main responsibility lies with the Ministry of Health, the Drug Administration, and local health departments.

Business ethics lessons and legal loopholes

Healing pills are supposed to be the last resort for patients, but they have been turned into weapons of mass murder in the hands of unscrupulous businessmen.

And not just medicine – recently, public opinion has not yet recovered from the shock of fake milk powder, fake functional foods, fraudulent advertising… now it continues to be shaken by fake medicine. A series of cruel acts aimed at public health – things that are unacceptable in a civilized society.

“No matter how sophisticated the crime is, whether it is protected or disguised as a business, it will be discovered and punished. This is a warning about ethics and indifference in some professions related to human life,” Dr. Lawyer Dang Van Cuong frankly said.

To prevent similar incidents, in addition to strict punishment, it is necessary to build a more effective drug monitoring system. Tracing, supply chain management, and assessment of the origin of raw materials must be tightened.

More importantly, people need to be alert, not buy drugs of unknown origin, only use drugs as prescribed by doctors and immediately report to authorities when suspecting poor quality products.

Van Hoang

Source: https://congthuong.vn/khi-dao-duc-bi-dem-ban-vien-thuoc-tro-thanh-toi-ac-383534.html