Many might assume that the fentanyl produced by HLB and Ramallo, allegedly linked to the deaths of 52 people, has been recovered by authorities, put in some kind of container, and subsequently destroyed. However, reality paints a different picture. Despite the ANMAT banning the use of this potent opioid and the drug supposedly being quarantined in all provinces, nearly two months after this scandal broke out, a meticulous operation is still underway – province by province, hospital by hospital – to ensure that the scrutinized medication is separated and made available for judicial purposes.
“With almost 1 million ampoules of fentanyl involved, it is crucial to locate and isolate all the questionable fentanyl to eliminate any possibility of more ampoules with irregularities circulating in the country,”
an industry expert pointed out.
Clarín obtained a provincial map detailing how many public and private health centers as well as pharmacies and drugstores (and from which provinces) received batches of fentanyl from HLB and Ramallo over recent months. These batches include those produced throughout 2024 under what is known in the pharmaceutical sector as “campaign 2024.
” Among them are six identified lots, including those allegedly uncontaminated along with three proven to contain bacteria believed to have led to the deaths of patients across intensive care units.
Acknowledging that both companies did not adhere to “
good manufacturing practices
” according to multiple ANMAT alerts issued against them in recent years leads to important questions. Why did these alerts not prompt ANMAT’s closure or preventive suspension of their operations? Considering reports indicating potential flaws in production processes that could have affected other medications from these laboratories raises concerns about broader quality issues beyond just fentanyl.
“
While sales and usage of all medications from HLB and Ramallo have been halted since May in Argentina, authorities should not overlook potential risks associated with other products manufactured by these labs,” emphasized sources within the sector.
As investigations continue raising more questions than answers, a critical focus remains on ensuring that no one can sell or consume HLB Pharma Group’s fentanyl. Additionally, preventing any relocation (for whatever reason) of already distributed ampoules is paramount since eventually authorities will need to collect and destroy them. The looming question remains: who will take charge?
The process of recovering fentanyl ampoules unfolded through back-and-forth interactions between La Plata’s Federal Court No.3 (overseeing investigations into the deaths) and ANMAT. Initially mandated by court order to retrieve fentanyl lots for judicial procedures proved challenging for ANMAT due to either reluctance or logistical constraints – an estimated 932,880 ampoules composed these six lots alone.
While recent collaboration agreements were reached between ANMAT investigators signaling progress towards recovery efforts alongside law enforcement assistance nationwide; challenges persist as only about 40% progress has been reported thus far.
Across 306 locations nationwide where over 930,000 doses circulated following ANMAT alerts regarding tainted batches produced during “Campaign 2024,” key areas hosting contaminated supplies were identified primarily within Buenos Aires province comprising forty-seven percent distribution network followed closely by Santa Fe accounting for significant twenty percent networks impacting forty-four hospitals among others…
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