An overwhelming need for COVID-19 resources like oxygen cylinders, RT-PCR test kits, ambulances, vaccines etc., along with gross mismanagement on the side of the Indian government has led to a severe shortage of these materials. People gasping for breath on hospital beds or being turned away at the door due to lack of oxygen cylinders and beds have become a common sight during these times. Such severe crisis has made people buy life-saving COVID drugs from the black market with a hefty sum in a desperate attempt to save their loved ones. With rising mortality rates, demand for drugs such as Remdesivir and tocilizumab has shot up with 100mg vial of Remdesivir being sold for 24,000 rupees which is five times the official price.
Counterfeit COVID-19 vaccine cards and what are being billed as COVID-19 vaccines are now for sale on the dark web, according to a report by cybersecurity firm, Check Point Software.
The Uttar Pradesh Police Special Taskforce and the local police in a joint operation busted a gang that was involved in the black market sale of the Remdesivir anti-viral vaccine and arrested 3 people connected to the case, as reported by The Sentinel. 4 people were arrested by CCB Police for allegedly selling Remdesivir in the black market and seized 55 vials of the drug for them.
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