Major scandal with medications in Albania. Italians uncover fraudulent reimbursements by CFO Pharma and Bioplus

Earlier this year, employees of the Italian pharmaceutical company Chiesi uncovered a massive reimbursement fraud scheme in Albania. The Albanian Health Insurance Fund (FSDKSH) had paid for far more boxes of medication than were actually supplied by the Italian company.

Investigations revealed a fictional reimbursement scheme worth tens of millions of euros, involving several companies: CFO Pharma, Pharma Plus, Medyx Albania, and two pharmacies linked to Gazmend Aliaj, a former Albanian Health Insurance Fund (FSDKSH) inspector previously arrested for similar fraud.

Companies like Pharma Plus and Medyx were reporting inventory of medicines without making any real purchases. These quantities were then “sold” fictitiously to CFO Pharma, which in turn “sold” them to pharmacies Bioplus and Medigreen. These pharmacies collected illegally reimbursed funds from the state health insurance scheme, damaging both the state budget and citizens.

The scandal has triggered in-depth investigations within the Health Insurance Fund and the Ministry of Health, with new high-level arrests reportedly on the way. This case is also among the key reasons why the Albanian government is now considering taking direct control over the import of medications.

The revelations have raised serious concerns about oversight, transparency, and corruption within Albania’s healthcare and pharmaceutical systems.

“KORÇA BOOM”