The National Government, through the Presidential Spokesperson's Office, raised the tension in the case of the contaminated fentanyl that caused the deaths of 96 patients in clinics and hospitals across the country. The accused, Ariel García Furfaro, owner of HLB Pharma Group S.A. and historically linked to Kirchnerism, was not only accused of corruption and tax evasion, but also attempted to continue manufacturing medicines despite an express ban from ANMAT.
García Furfaro, who went from being a greengrocer to a multimillionaire pharmaceutical entrepreneur in just a few years with state contracts thanks to his political connections—including the partner of Lázaro Báez—, is considered by the Government as "a corrupt businessman and beneficiary of the political class that ruined the country."
The laboratory HLB Pharma, producer of the contaminated fentanyl batch, had not been inspected by ANMAT since February 2020. Only in September 2024, with the appointment of Mario Lugones as Minister of Health, did a thorough inspection begin: in November, an inspection of Ramallo laboratory (belonging to the same group) was ordered, and in February 2025, just two hours after receiving the results, the head of ANMAT, Agustina Bisio, disqualified it from all productive activity. This measure was taken three months before the first death occurred.
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In March, the agency banned the use, commercialization, and distribution of "Propofol HLB, injectable IV emulsion, batch 60000", thus preventing countless deaths during surgical procedures. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Security launched an investigation for false documentation in the registration of HLB Pharma in RENPRE, and the Revenue Agency (ARCA) reported it for aggravated tax evasion.
"It is not a minor detail that Governor Axel Kicillof and his Minister of Health, Nicolás Kreplak, are the main clients of HLB Pharma," the official statement warned. The situation is complicated by the fact that the judge handling the case is Ernesto Kreplak, the minister's brother. The Executive anticipated that, if the immediate arrest of García Furfaro is not ordered, it will challenge the magistrate for an alleged conflict of interest.
El dueño de HLB Pharma trató de adquirir licencias para producir más medicamentos
Despite the ban imposed by ANMAT in May 2025 (Provision 3158/2025), García Furfaro personally appeared before the National Commercial Court No. 28 to request licenses allowing him to produce medicines from the bankrupt Nexo Pharmaceutical Group. ANMAT had already informed the court that HLB Pharma has lacked a technical director since May 21, which legally prevents it from operating. However, the maneuver sought to reactivate production despite the current restrictions, which also apply to Laboratorios Ramallo S.A., from where the lethal fentanyl originated.
The National Government emphasized that, thanks to the swift action of Minister Lugones and ANMAT, all contaminated doses were withdrawn from the market, potentially preventing hundreds of thousands of deaths. "We've done what no other government has done: shut down and report a corrupt businessman, friend and beneficiary of the political class," stated the presidential spokesperson's office, confirming that it will go "to the ultimate consequences" to ensure García Furfaro ends up in prison.
