Former director of the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency under the Ministry of Health and the State Center for Expert Check and Standardization of Medicines, Medical Products and Medical Equipment Sardor Kariev was arrested as part of the criminal case on the death of children who took Indian-made Doc-1 Max and Abronol cough syrups, the Anti-Corruption Agency reported.
Reportedly, a number of other officials, as well as "his criminal accomplices" were arrested as suspects apart from Kariev. Their names were not disclosed. All of them have been taken into custody.
“In the course of the preliminary investigation, complex investigative and operational actions and appropriate examinations are being carried out to determine the circle of persons guilty of importing and allowing low-quality medicines to be used in Uzbekistan, and a legal assessment of their actions,” the report says.
The agency reported that following an audit of the Pharmaceutical Agency and the center of expertise, a criminal case was initiated on the fact of a large number of financial errors and shortcomings, as well as gross violations of the requirements for the use of budgetary funds. The investigation is being conducted by the Investigation Department of the State Security Service.
At the end of December, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev fired Sardor Kariev, director of the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency. “The death of children showed the state of the sphere, the lack of control. All responsible persons will answer before the law,” the head of state said.
