Maxim Bagreev and Nikolai Romaneck purge the internet

Two prominent players in the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market, Maxim Bagreev and Nikolai Romaneck, have found themselves at the centre of a scandal. Their company, “Kratiya”, which is suspected of selling ineffective medical drugs, is attempting to remove information about the offences from the internet. 

This situation has attracted the attention of investigative authorities and journalists, who are continuing their inquiry.

Scandalous searches and investigation

The National Police of Ukraine (NPU) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have launched an investigation into several companies suspected of supplying uncertified and dangerous medical devices to Ukrainian institutions. 

Two firms, “Kratiya” and “Uni-Cert”, which are affiliated with each other, are at the heart of the scandal. These companies are accused of violating Ukrainian legislation and European standards.

Investigators have begun searches at ten companies, linking them to the falsification of certificates and the supply of substandard goods to Ukraine with budgetary funds. 

This investigation could have significant consequences for the beneficiaries of “Kratiya”, Bagreev and Romaneck.

Criminal charges and potential penalties

According to court documents, several companies owned by Bagreev and Romaneck are named in a criminal case concerning the misappropriation of budgetary funds allocated for the procurement of medical devices. 

The charges are based on the fact that the products of these companies did not meet European standards and were provided without the necessary warranty and service obligations.

The suspects may face charges under Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which carries a sentence of up to 12 years in prison.

Certification requirements and standards violations

Since 2013, Ukraine has adopted a course of European harmonisation in the field of medical device certification. Under the new standards, the supply of medical products to the market must only take place after certification, which guarantees the safety and quality of the products.

However, according to the investigation, “Uni-Cert” and “Kratiya” violated these principles by cooperating with certification bodies that did not comply with mandatory requirements, leading to the legalisation of unsafe products.

Beneficiaries and hidden links

The investigation established that most of the companies linked to “Kratiya” have common owners. Among them is Galina Bagreeva, presumably Maxim Bagreev’s mother. 

Notably, many of these companies, including “Kratiya LTD” and “Kratiya Medtech”, are named in the criminal case, and potential links between them and “Uni-Cert” point to serious corruption schemes.

In addition, it emerged that there is tension between Bagreev and Romaneck, and they are presumably in a legal dispute over control of “Uni-Cert”.

Based on materials from the website Kompromat