Fundhacre scheme diverted million-dollar medicine linked to overdose deaths in the USA

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An investigation by the Civil Police revealed that the scheme to divert medicines and hospital equipment from the Fundação Hospitalar do Acre (Fundhacre), in Rio Branco, included the clandestine sale of fentanyl, one of the most potent painkillers used in medicine. The information was confirmed to the ContilNet by delegate Igor Brito, responsible for the case.

“We seized a reasonable amount,” said the head of the Financial Crimes Police Station (Defaz).

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The investigation shows that the scheme operated continuously and has already caused losses that could exceed R$1 million to public coffers and the state health system. The operation was launched last Monday morning (5), after around a year of investigation that began following a formal request from the State Department of Health (Sesacre).

During the action, the police arrested him red-handed. The search and seizure warrant was carried out at a residence in the Pista neighborhood, in the Sobral region.

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At the scene, investigators found a large quantity of controlled medications, including fentanyl, as well as medicines used to treat cancer and high-cost hospital equipment, such as probes for patients with colostomy bags and a hemodialyzer, used in dialysis sessions. All material was stored irregularly.

Due to the volume seized, it was necessary to use a truck to transport the items to an appropriate location, where they will undergo technical expertise. The Civil Police reported that the calculation of the damage is still preliminary and could increase as the material is analyzed.

The investigation is led by the Financial Crimes Police Station (Defaz). According to delegate Igor Brito, it has already been proven that the arrested man did not act alone. The investigations remain confidential to identify other parties involved and verify whether there is participation of employees or facilitators within the public structure.

After his arrest, Eugênio Gonçalves Neves was taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (Deic) and then to the Flagrantes Police Station (Defla), where he remains at the disposal of the Justice Department.

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The State Secretary of Health, Pedro Pascoal, stated that the diversion of medicines and supplies was directly impacting the supply of the state network, compromising service to the population. According to him, the frequent lack of medicines in health units already raised suspicions of internal irregularities.

Still according to the secretary, the scheme involved not only medicines, but also inputs such as gloves, dialysis materials and equipment essential to the functioning of health services. He highlighted the importance of the investigation for the protection of public resources and praised the work of the Civil Police.

What is fentanyl

Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, legally used in hospital settings to control intense pain, especially in surgical procedures, oncology treatments and in intensive care units. It is considered dozens of times stronger than morphine and requires strict control over storage, prescription and use.

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Due to its potency and high risk of addiction and overdose, fentanyl is classified as a special control medication and can only be used under medical supervision. Substance misuse has been associated with public health crises in several countries.

Market value

In the legal market, fentanyl has a high cost due to its production complexity and strict sanitary control, which can reach thousands of reais per bottle, depending on the dosage and hospital presentation. In the clandestine market, the value is even higher and varies depending on the supply, the form of commercialization and the region, which makes the diversion of this type of medicine highly profitable for criminal organizations.

Risks

According to a technical note from the Ministry of Health, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid originally used as an analgesic and anesthetic, “however, its non-medical use can have severe consequences for the health of users and public health, as evidenced by the increase in the number of overdose deaths in North America attributed to the use of opioids in recent years, and it is therefore recommended that health, forensic, police and revenue bodies adopt some procedures for monitoring cases and managing risks”.

Last year, in an exclusive interview with ContilNetthe psychiatrist and deputy inspector of the Regional Council of Medicine of Acre (CRM-AC), Dr. Marcos Araripe, warned of the risks of continued use of these medications. “It is a public health situation, because indiscriminate use can lead to psychiatric disorders, heart and kidney problems, and even death”he explained. The conditions can evolve into a condition of chemical dependence, configuring a growing public health concern, highlighting the seriousness of the problem and the need for a multidisciplinary approach.

These patients who constantly seek the feeling of well-being provided by opioids even demand that the medication be administered intravenously, claiming that other forms such as tablets or intramuscular injections have no effect. In fact, this preference for the venous route is linked to the search for the dopaminergic effect. “It is a condition of dependence, not just pain treatment”he highlighted.

The situation generates conflicts, as these patients can accuse healthcare teams of negligence when injectable medication is denied. However, Dr. Araripe emphasizes medical autonomy: “The doctor has autonomy over diagnosis, prognosis and prescription”. The decision on which treatment to apply rests with the doctor, who has the technical and scientific knowledge to safely assess the patient’s condition.