Cancer Medicine Stolen

The top story in many Syrian news outlets this week was a report that senior medical professionals had been stealing cancer treatment medicine.



"It's an ugly crime," Ali Jamalo, chief editor of the pro-government ChamPress website, commented in an editorial written on June 22.



Six individuals, who have not been named but are known to include three doctors, a university hospital manager and a pharmacist, are under investigation on suspicion of stealing medicine and replacing them with other, unidentified drugs.



The cancer treatments were due to be distributed to public hospitals.



The official newspaper Tishreen reported on June 21 that the six were referred to the military court following an investigation.



The suspects are also believed to have stolen drugs by ordering prescriptions for patients who had died.



"Execution is not enough for them,” wrote Jamalo. “Some of the people who have called us about this case expressed fears that these crimes would be covered up because the criminals have friendly ties with ministers and directors.”



A source told Tishreen that there was massive pressure not to make the scandal public, and that the suspects had been pressured not to make a confession.