PM defends Health Minister, pleads ignorance in Molnupiravir controversy

After launching the Dowlut flyover on Monday, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth told the media he was not aware about the purchase of Molnupiravir drugs by the Ministry of Health.

“I say it frankly, I wasn’t aware of many elements in this story,” he told the media, as he inaugurated the Dowlut flyover in Phoenix.

On learning about the issue in Parliament, he added, he contacted Jagutpal to “gather all the information regarding the way and the conditions under which this drug was purchased.” 

He said he wants to shed light on this purchase and added that he is “on the same wavelength” as the Minister of Health.

Jugnauth defended that Jagutpal, stating the latter was not “involved at all” in this exercise. 

While announcing that the case has been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Jugnauth said “those found guilty would need to face the consequences.”