Vélez Sarsfield Clinic was raided as part of the investigation into the contaminated fentanyl, which caused dozens of deaths in the country. The procedure was ordered due to suspected irregularities in the records and in the use of the indicated ampoules. Judicial authorities are seeking to determine the actual number of patients affected at the Cordoba institution.
The operation began after a discrepancy was detected between the reported cases and the number of contaminated doses used. According to the Noticias Argentinas agency, the clinic reported only four cases, but it may have administered 1,693 contaminated ampoules. This situation led to the seizure of medical records indicating fentanyl for review.
"They seized all the medical records that indicated fentanyl," said the clinic's director, Dr. Pereyra Sueldo. Weeks earlier, the facility made headlines for the intoxication of a newborn baby with this substance. The case reignited the debate about traceability and control of high-risk medications.
Ernesto Kreplak, juez federal
The real scope of the fentanyl health crisis is under investigation
Federal Judge Ernesto Kreplak confirmed that there have already been 76 deaths related to contaminated fentanyl and dangerous bacteria. These include Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii, detected in some patients affected by the case. The judge clarified that this data comes from analyses conducted in various jurisdictions.
Kreplak reported that about 30,000 ampoules have remained unused in hospitals since the issuance of the health alert. He stated, "they no longer circulate" and are kept in custody to prevent further serious incidents. He also maintained that the priority is to confirm the safety of the remaining stock.
The judge called for "calming things down a bit" regarding the fear caused by the news. He also emphasized the importance of waiting for the results of the expert reports to determine the origin of the contamination. The progress of the investigation will be key to defining potential criminal responsibilities.
