Kharkiv: Nine individuals involved in a case of selling codeine-containing medications without a prescription will be tried.
In Kharkiv, a group was operating to sell codeine-containing medications, including "Codterpin IS," "Codepsin," and "Codterp," without prescriptions, in four pharmacies in the city. According to the regional prosecutor's office, the monthly turnover of these sales amounted to between 500 thousand and 1 million hryvnias. The case involving nine individuals has been transferred to the Industrial District Court.
Law enforcement officials have determined that a network of pharmacies in Kharkiv was being used for the illegal sale of codeine-containing medications. According to the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office, the scheme was organized last year by the director of a pharmaceutical company, who enlisted the help of the chief accountant and seven pharmacists.
The case involves combined medications "Kodterpin IS," "Codepsin," and "Kodterp" – controlled drugs with limited circulation, which can only be dispensed according to specific regulations and established exceptions. Members of the group were selling these medications without prescriptions from doctors, as well as in quantities exceeding the permitted limits; the trade was conducted in four pharmacies in the city.
The monthly turnover of these sales ranged from 500 thousand to 1 million Ukrainian hryvnias, with the funds being distributed among participants in pre-determined proportions. During the 25 searches, law enforcement seized over 11,5 thousand tablets of these drugs, as well as black market sales records, expense receipts, and mobile phones.
Nine individuals are accused of violating the rules for the distribution of narcotics, committed repeatedly and as part of an organized group, depending on their roles and involvement. The Industrial District Court of Kharkiv will hear the case; the suspects were informed of the charges in May of this year.