The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an inquiry into an alleged corruption syndicate involving Salman F Rahman, vice chairman of Beximco Pharmaceuticals, over the embezzlement of Tk22,000 crore in the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines.
ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain disclosed the development while addressing journalists on Monday afternoon (17 March), citing a complaint submitted by Moidul Islam, an official of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC).
The complaint alleges that Beximco Pharmaceuticals was unjustifiably included as a supplier in the procurement of three crore doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India.
It further claims that government procurement protocols were disregarded in the agreement between the Bangladesh government, Beximco, and the Serum Institute, leading to an inflated purchase price compared to other nations.
Had the government procured the vaccine directly from the Serum Institute, the additional cost per dose could have been allocated to secure an estimated 6.8 million extra doses, the complaint asserts. Reports indicate that Beximco Pharmaceuticals made a profit of Tk77 per dose after covering all associated expenses.
On 12 August 2022, the then health minister Zahid Maleque stated that the Awami League government had spent approximately Tk40,000 crore on Covid-19 vaccine procurement and related expenditures.
The complaint alleges that a syndicate led by Salman F Rahman and Zahid Maleque siphoned off at least Tk22,000 crore during the procurement process.
However, ACC’s Akhtar Hossain remarked, “It is not possible to provide details on how these funds were embezzled at this moment. We will share further information after the investigation.”
A senior Awami League figure and owner of Beximco Group, Salman previously served as the private industry affairs adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
He was arrested following the mass uprising led by students in August last year that led to the fall of the Awami League government.
He remains accused in multiple cases.
