A contract valued at UZS 21.8bn ($1.7mn) has been identified for the procurement of the drug "Antistrumin" intended for kindergarten and school children in Uzbekistan, according to information available on the State procurement portal.
In June 2022, a direct contract was made with "Samo" for UZS 5.6bn ($458,895) for the purchase of potassium iodide 1mg (0.001g) No. 100, known as "Antistrumin," by "Uzmedimpeks" under the Ministry of Health. An additional agreement amounting to UZS 956mn ($78,200) was added to this contract on January 11, 2023.
Subsequently, on May 4, 2023, "Uzmedimpeks" entered into another direct contract with "Samo," this time worth UZS 15,275bn ($1.2mn) for the procurement of "Antistrumin" medicine. These contracts stipulate that "Samo" will supply a total of 3,550,000 units of "Antistrumin" for a sum of UZS 21,875bn ($1.7mn).
It has come to light that these contracts for the purchase of "Antistrumin" were executed without a competitive bidding process; instead, they were directly negotiated. There have been reports suggesting that Nodir Yunusov, one of the founders of "Samo," is wanted by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service, facing charges related to human trafficking, slave labor, fraud, racketeering, and organizing a corrupt organization.
Nodir Yunusov also serves as the head of Zuma Pharma, and the State procurement portal contains records of contracts signed by "Uzmedimpex" with Zuma Pharma. For instance, a direct contract valued at UZS 782mn ($63,967) was established for the supply of 7,000 syringes and erythropoietin.
Interestingly, both companies have several individuals with the surname Yunusov among their founders. Nodir Yunusov is the head of the Zuma Pharma enterprise, while among the founders of "Samo," led by Farrukh Yunusov, are Nodir Yunusov and Khalida Yunusova.
Currently, an investigation is underway into the pharmaceutical activities of the "Samo" enterprise.
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