Judge investigates multi-million euro fraud in prosthetics for Murcia's SMS
The State Audit Office has declined to produce a report on the alleged fraud in medical equipment purchases by the Murcia Health Service, estimated at €6.9 million.
Audit responsibility falls to the regional authority
The investigation into the prosthetics fraud case is becoming complicated. The General Intervention Office of the State Administration (IGAE) has rejected the judge's request to produce a report on the scope of the alleged multi-million euro fraud in the purchase of materials by the Murcia Health Service (SMS), according to La Verdad. The IGAE argued that "the request for assistance submitted" by court number 7 of the Investigation Section of the Court of First Instance in Murcia "exceeds its scope of knowledge and competencies".
In a document sent in July to the court, the deputy general director of Studies and Coordination of the General Intervention Office of the State, Mercedes Vega, noted that control of the economic and financial activity of Health Services corresponds to regional General Intervention bodies. Vega argued that these are "the competent authorities" that "conduct annual audits and financial controls" and "possess the necessary knowledge, experience and technical specialisation".
Origins of the investigation
The Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) of the National Police proposed in April a thorough examination of the alleged fraud. Officers attached to the Superior Police Station of Murcia calculated the provisional amount at €6.9 million, taking into account documentation of suspicious expenses incurred from the SMS purchasing centre between 2018 and 2025.
The Inspection of the Health Ministry conducted an internal investigation and reported the case to the Regional Public Prosecutor's Office in November 2024. Subsequently, the UDEF launched its inquiries. Among the anomalies detected are price markups of up to 1,287% on specific medical materials—for example, items that increased in cost from €440 to more than €1,400 without justification—the acquisition of materials not authorised in the SMS catalogue, and the carrying out of purchases through direct contracting without public tendering.
Irregularities in Cardiovascular Surgery
The alleged irregularities encompass the acquisition of prostheses for the Cardiovascular Surgery service and the Interventional Vascular Radiology section of the Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital. These purchases were made by the Comprehensive Procurement Unit (UAI) of regional public healthcare.
According to the criminal proceedings file, the technical report requested shall "determine the amount misappropriated or defrauded" arising from "breaches of regional regulations" on the acquisition of healthcare products. The analysis must also detail the violation of "the internal procedures established" for the purchase of medical products.
Possible resort to an independent expert
The judge initially requested the report from the General Intervention Office of the Autonomous Community, which cited lack of resources and indicated that responsibility lay with the state Intervention office. With the IGAE's rejection, the magistrate must make a decision to advance on a key aspect: ascertaining the "economic harm suffered by the Health Ministry". Sources familiar with the proceedings pointed to the possibility that the judge will ultimately resort to a randomly-selected expert, an independent professional who would issue this important opinion.
The IGAE stated in its communication that "the analysis requested would depend on aspects related to the technical and healthcare characteristics of the products" and "the technical conditions of the healthcare market". It added that, in addition to its lack of specialisation, several regional Intervention bodies are collaborating with judicial authorities in criminal proceedings in their respective territories.
Upcoming summonses and recovery of funds
The judge has summoned twelve of the fifteen investigated persons for the coming days of 4, 5 and 6 November. The case includes five alleged crimes: four of corruption and one against public health for the alleged implantation of expired stents.
In March, the Health Ministry confirmed that the SMS had recovered €300,000 from the alleged fraud and had requested that the company Logimed return another €200,000. In September, president Fernando López Miras insisted in the Regional Assembly that his government would employ "all available administrative and legal mechanisms" to recover the public funds used improperly. The Autonomous Community is party to the case as the injured party.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)