Problems with subsidized medications led to searches at the Dagestan Ministry of Health.

Dagestan Ministry of Health officials are suspected of negligence in organizing the procurement of medications for patients requiring subsidized medications.

"Caucasian Knot" reported that on March 13, the "Patient Monitor and Housing and Utilities" project helped two disabled brothers from Dagestan suffering from spinal muscular atrophy obtain expensive medications. On March 16, human rights activists reported a violation of the treatment rights of another Dagestan resident with diabetes insipidus. Complaints about the availability of subsidized medications in Dagestan continue to come in, as the medications are either not being imported or are being imported in small quantities, according to specialists interviewed by "Caucasian Knot."

On March 26, investigators in Dagestan conducted a search of the Dagestan Ministry of Health. In a video released by the agency, Investigative Committee officers notify several Ministry of Health officials of a criminal investigation and seize documents from their offices.

The Ministry of Health officials are suspected of negligence (Part 1 of Article 293 of the Russian Criminal Code carries a penalty of up to one year of correctional labor or up to three months of arrest) due to the disruption of drug procurement. "As a result, timely and complete provision of medications to people entitled to free medications was not organized," according to a statement on the Investigative Committee's official Telegram channel.

Investigators have not yet identified specific suspects in the case. The agency also did not specify how many people suffered due to the violation of their right to free medications.

A Khasavyurt resident has won compensation for a refusal to issue medication

On March 25, "Patient Monitor and Housing and Utilities" reported another case of such a violation. The court ruled that the Khasavyurt resident, a third-degree disabled person with severe cancer, was forced to buy a life-saving medication due to the inaction of the Dagestan Ministry of Health.

Doctors in Moscow prescribed two medications to the patient without the right to substitute them with similar medications, but the Khasavyurt Central District Hospital and the republican oncology center asked her to reconsider the decision of the Moscow specialists and did not issue the necessary medication. According to the court's decision, the ministry must pay the woman 320,000 rubles—the cost of one package of medication, which the patient paid for herself, having the right to free provision.

"The indifference of officials sometimes does much more harm than the diagnosis itself," human rights activists stated. Subscribers to the "Patient Monitor" Telegram channel expressed outrage at the actions of Ministry of Health officials. "They act as if someone picked their pockets... Oh yeah, it's impossible to sell this vital drug on the side anymore," one user wrote under the post.

"Many years ago, I had to get a prescription for two packages—they gave me one, but I had to sign for both," another commenter reported.

"The Dagestan Ministry of Health is run by heartless bastards. They're probably tourists in shorts, otherwise how...," wrote user ᛋᛏᛖᛈᛈᛖᚢᛚᚠᛖᚾ:.