senior doctor

medical practitioners

health warriors

COVID-19 crisis

exorbitant rates

Coronavirus symptoms

Pharmacist arrested,in dock for overcharging Rs 50At a time whenare being referred to as ‘’, amid the, a senior doctor who runs a hospital in Kundalahalli and his staff have been booked by the city police for obstructing public servants from discharging their duties. Dr Pradeep Kumar TJ, medical director of Brookefield Hospital defended his senior pharmacist who was being bundled away, for selling N-95 masks atas alleged by the police.Earlier, the N95 masks were sold for Rs 100 to Rs 120. However, with low stocks and high demands, this has sky-rocketed the prices and the masks are now being sold anywhere between Rs 300 and Rs 350.One day after the city administration announced a lockdown, the patient walk-ins at the hospital for check-up of thehave doubled. The Brookefield Hospital witnessed a similar scene. On Saturday, at around 4 pm, one man walked in to the Brookefield Hospital pharmacy and asked for N-95 masks.“There were a total of nine N-95 masks at our pharmacy, which were meant for our staff and not for sale. But our new pharmacist, who had only joined two days ago, was on duty and gave away the masks to the man, who did not pay and suspiciously moved around the hospital,” explained Dr Pradeep.Since the man did not pay for his purchase, the pharmacist reported the matter to a senior pharmacist who requested the man for money for the masks he had bought, each costing Rs 430. The man told the pharmacist that he was waiting for someone, when a police patrol vehicle pulled up at the hospital.The man who bought the masks then told the hospital staff that he was from the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in civil clothes and was infact conducting raids based on information that masks are being sold at exorbitant rates. The hospital staff then informed Dr Pradeep about the developments, who got into a heated argument with the CCB staff.In the midst of this, Akshata Tikoti, a woman constable attached with the HAL police station, had started dragging the senior pharmacist to the patrol vehicle. She said that she was being arrested for selling masks at higher rates.“I am responsible for my staff here. And the police took offence that I was defending them,” Dr Pradeep told BM.The police have also informed the Assistant Drug Commissioner (ADC) who along with the Meteorological Department officials inspected the hospital on Monday and penalised the hospital of Rs 10,000.Explaing the situation, Dr Pradeep said, “There are different varieties of N95 masks. We order one of the best ones that cost around Rs 380 per mask.”When BM contacted MN Anucheth DCP Whitefield, he said, “As a health warrior, he cannot be profiteering in times of crisis, even if it is only Rs 50. We are currently investigating the case and yet to arrest the doctor.”