News

The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia holds a personal reception on the issue of providing seriously ill citizens with medicines

Mr. Alexander Ivanovich Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, held a videoconferencing reception of citizens. It was attended by Mr. Eduard Valeryevich Kaburneev, First Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Heads of the Units of the Main Investigative Directorate, and Heads and Officers of Territorial Investigative Directorates.

At the reception, Mr. A.I. Bastrykin listened to the applicants from Novosibirskaya, Kostromskaya and Nizhny Novgorodskaya oblasts. All applicants are the parents of children diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, who do not fully receive medical devices and medicines prescribed by law.

Thus, the children of the applicants from Novosibirskaya oblast, who suffer from type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent), are not provided with sensors of the continuous blood glucose monitoring system, needles for insulin pen, test strips and other products untimely and not in full. Medicines are also not provided in full, even though a number of applicants have a court decision. Citizens are offered analogues from other manufacturers that are not interchangeable. Mr. A.I. Bastrykin listened to the report of Mr. V.B. Zaripov, acting Head of the Investigative Committee of the Investigative Committee of Russia for Novosibirskaya oblast. He reported on the progress of the investigation of the criminal case launched in accordance with Part 1, Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (negligence), noting that the line of embezzlement and improper use of budgetary funds by public health officials is currently being investigated. To date, a decision has been issued on the appointment of a forensic medical examination for the admissibility of replacing medicines by analogues, a number of other investigative and procedural actions have been taken.

The applicants from the Kostromskaya oblast suffered the same problems. Despite the availability of court decision, the officials of the regional health department do not provide patients with the necessary medicines and consumables for insulin pumps in full. There is a total lack of provision with systems for continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels. Parents are forced to purchase everything at their own expense. On this fact, the investigating authorities of the Investigative Directorate for Kostromskaya oblast launched a criminal case in accordance with Part 1, Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (negligence). Mr. D.N. Levchenko, Head of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for Kostromskaya oblast, reported on the progress of the investigation of this criminal case. Within the preliminary investigation, it is planned to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the activities in the field of public procurement in the region, as well as the work of health authorities.

During the reception, a proposal to organize cooperation between the Investigative Committee of Russia and the All-Russian Organization of Parents of Disabled Children (VORDI) from a representative of the Kostroma branch of a public organization has been announced, he believed that such cooperation will contribute to the prompt identification and effective resolution of problems in the providing medicines. Mr. A.I. Bastrykin instructed his subordinates to organize interaction with the mentioned organization and submit proposals for a possible partnership.

Children of citizens who applied for the reception from Nizhny Novgorodskaya oblast also suffer from type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent). However, according to the applicants, officials of the Ministry of Health of Nizhny Novgorodskaya oblast, as in previous cases, systematically violate their rights. Mr. A.S. Akhmetshin, Head of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for Nizhny Novgorodskaya oblast, reported on the measures taken and planned activities aimed at identifying the causes and terms, that led to the violation of the rights of citizens and bringing the persons involved to statute-established responsibility.

At the reception, citizens also voiced the problem related to the provision of insulin-dependent children with medical devices and consumables when they reach 18 years of age. The applicants note that children at this age are usually students and they do not have any income, therefore these costs are borne by the parents. In addition, there is a need for legal regulation of the procedure for transferring a person with such a diagnosis from a children's clinic to a medical institution for patients who have already reached the age of majority. Today, this procedure is long and laborious, creating risks of interruptions in medical care and drug supply.

After listening to the reports of his subordinates, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia noted that the problems voiced by the applicants are of a systemic nature, the incorrect choice of the strategy and tactics for the provision of medical devices and medicines everywhere created problems associated with a risk to the life and health of citizens. In order to organize a comprehensive investigation, the Heads of the investigative directorates were instructed to arrange investigative and operational groups. The Head of the Department also stressed that, within the preliminary investigation, it is necessary to analyze the files received for the affiliation of persons in the field of healthcare and pharmaceuticals, medical and financial support. In addition, Mr A.I. Bastrykin pointed out the inadmissibility of conducting expert research in institutions that involve representatives of the regional health care system as specialists.

At the end of the personal reception, Mr. A.I. Bastrykin appointed internal inspections and gave a number of specific instructions. In particular, the Head of the Department instructed to prepare appropriate letters to the Government of the Russian Federation, relevant ministries, as well as Heads of oblasts, whose residents applied for an appointment.