Fentanyl: In 2019, there was an order to shut down a plant, but it was never carried out

Amid the investigation into the deaths caused by contaminated fentanyl, new revelations continue to emerge regarding the case involving the HLB Pharma group, owned by businessman Ariel García Furfaro, who is currently imprisoned.

It has now been revealed that the plant received a closure order in May 2019 due to serious failures in the production of medications. The order was never enforced.

The newspaper Infobae published a document this Sunday reporting this development.

Meanwhile, as governments of different political affiliations succeeded one another, no one was able to take serious measures against this company, which was far from implementing protocols and quality standards.

During the administration of Mauricio Macri and the tenure of then Minister of Health, Adolfo Rubinstein, an inspection was carried out by the National Institute of Medications (INAME), which ordered the closure.

Nevertheless, HLB Pharma continued operating, and later, under Alberto Fernández's administration, it experienced significant growth, to the extent that it was responsible for managing the purchase of Sputnik COVID-19 vaccines from Russia during the pandemic.

INAME, which reports to the National Administration of Medications, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT), according to Infobae, inspected HLB in May 2019 and in the report of that intervention, it was established that the company was operating at an unacceptable level.

In July 2019, the then head of medications at ANMAT, Gabriela Vedoya, submitted the file suggesting "closure," and in September, the director of inspection requested that García Furfaro's laboratory be suspended, but nothing was ever done.

Contaminated fentanyl in Argentina

In April 2025, a severe outbreak of infections linked to the administration of contaminated clinical fentanyl was detected at the Hospital Italiano de La Plata, resulting in the first deaths.

Forensic analyses identified multidrug-resistant bacteria —Klebsiella pneumoniae and Ralstonia pickettii— both in the vials and in the deceased patients.

ANMAT ordered the withdrawal of the contaminated batch (number 31202) and suspended production at the HLB Pharma and Ramallo laboratories until the required sanitary conditions were met.

The crisis expanded nationwide: it is estimated that more than 300,000 contaminated ampoules were distributed, and about 45,000 were administered in hospitals in Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Formosa, and the City of Buenos Aires.

As of August 2025, there are at least 87 confirmed deaths, and other cases are under investigation that could raise the total to about 96 fatalities.

Judicial situation of Ariel García Furfaro and his associates

In May 2025, following the first complaints, ANMAT suspended production and banned the use of fentanyl from the laboratories involved. Numerous documentary and production irregularities were detected.

Ariel García Furfaro, his brothers (Diego and Damián), his mother (Nilda Furfaro), and even his grandmother Olga Luisa Arena were subject to asset freezes and prohibited from leaving the country.

On August 20, 2025, federal judge Ernesto Kreplak ordered the arrest of Ariel García Furfaro and the executive board of the laboratories, accused of being linked to the contaminated fentanyl.

That same day, García Furfaro was indicted for overbilling and aggravated smuggling of imports from China.

Massive overbilling was detected: USD 5 million was declared when in reality the amount was USD 500,000, between his companies HLB Pharma and Alpharma. His mother and grandmother were also indicted.

In a subsequent statement before Judge Kreplak, García Furfaro agreed that he should remain in custody to avoid obstructing the investigation, denying negligence and even suggesting that the contamination could have been intentional or of obscure origin.