On 21 October, OCCRP reported on its analysis of data obtained, along with media partners in 37 countries, about over 37,000 COVID-19 related tenders and contracts worth over €20.8 billion, running from February to October. They cover key goods such as personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, tests, and medications. It says that what it found was often fascinating. Governments bought respirator masks at prices that varied wildly, from just 20 cents per unit to €37 each. The pandemic also prompted a boom for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, controversial drugs promoted by many as a miracle treatment for COVID-19, despite limited evidence. Data obtained by reporters showed the number of large contracts for these drugs increased 15-fold so far this year. Dexamethasone, a steroid that has met with more clinical success, saw a 36-fold increase.
https://www.occrp.org/en/coronavirus/europes-covid-19-spending-spree-unmasked
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