Sofia City Prosecutor, Nikolay Kokinov, has revealed that resigned Health Minister Bozhidar Nanev had the opportunity to buy the swine flu vaccine ‘Tamiflu’ earlier and at a lower cost.

Kokinov stated Wednesday on BNT that the investigation into Nanev started a few months ago but could not stop the crime. He continued; “It certainly is a crime to buy a product that can be purchased for BGN 2,5 M less somewhere else.”

According to Kokinov, Nanev was aware of the lower bid and he concluded that if there is evidence of Health Minsitry officials benefiting from the deal more charges will be bought and the evidence will be presented in court.

Nanev became Tuesday the first acting minister from the cabinet of the ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) to be officially charged by the City Prosecutor's Office.

Nanev is accused of conducting 2 unfavorable deals for the supply of the antiviral swine flu medicine “Tamiflu.” The deals were signed on December 16, 2009 between the Health Ministry and the Bulgarian-based F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Company, and have caused damages to the Ministry to the amount of BGN 2,454 M.