Ambulance charged 5 million dong for 16 km as medicine bought for 4,000 dong was sold for 600,000

Thanh Hoa police have summoned three people after an ambulance charged a patient's family 9.5 million dong for a 16-kilometer transfer, including 4.2 million dong for medicine sold at a huge markup.

The people called in are ambulance owner Nguyen Cong Khanh, 29, driver Vo Dai Truong Lam, 35, and Le Trong Hai Anh, 30, a student at Thanh Hoa Medical College. Police said the case involves the transfer of a 58-year-old man from Thanh Hoa General Hospital to his home in Sam Son on Aug. 14.

According to the initial investigation, Khanh accepted the transport and assigned Lam to drive the ambulance. Lam then contacted Hai Anh to take part. When the patient was collected, Lam informed the family about transport costs, equipment rental and breathing-support devices. Hai Anh advised them to use a vasopressor medicine priced at 600,000 dong per vial.

The family agreed and bought seven vials, paying 4.2 million dong. Police said the medicine was Adrenaline purchased on the market for just 4,000 dong per vial. The remaining amount, more than 5 million dong, covered transport and equipment rental.

Investigators said the three had discussed how to collect and divide the money. After payment, Lam transferred part of it to Khanh, while Lam and Hai Anh divided the rest. The Criminal Police Division is continuing to gather evidence, clarify the roles of those involved and handle the case under the law.