Feofanova Aleksandra

Biography

Sentence - 4.5 years in prison for fatal poisoning of patients with barium

The Vyborg District Court of St. Petersburg sentenced the former deputy chief physician for the medical department of the City Consulting and Diagnostic Center No. 1, Alexander Feofanov, to 4 years 5 months in prison in a general regime colony. The verdict was passed on June 20, 2025 in the case of fatal poisoning of patients with barium.

According to the Fontanka newspaper, the court also sentenced the ex-head of the radiation diagnostics department Elena Medvedeva to 5 years in a general regime colony. Both women are banned from medical activities for 2.5 years. They were found guilty under Part 3 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code of Russia.

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Фото: Freepik

Medical workers admitted the purchase of the drug "Barium sulfuric acid 0.10%, GOST 3158-75" in the amount of 109.5 kg from July 13, 2021 to January 26, 2022. The product was intended only for analytical and manufacturing purposes, but not for medical use.

The court found that the accused allowed the use of the substance by medical workers of the radiation diagnostics department as a contrast agent. They did not reveal a violation and did not stop the further use of a dangerous drug.

As a result of the use of an inappropriate contrast medium, 8 patients died. Four patients suffered minor and serious harm to health. In 40 people, the state of health deteriorated significantly in the form of symptoms of poisoning, which ended in recovery.

Affected patients lost their right to receive safe medical care. Barium sulfuric acid of technical purpose posed a danger to the life and health of people when used medically.

City Consulting and Diagnostic Center No. 1 is obliged to pay the victims ₽4,11 million in compensation for moral and material damage. The court satisfied part of the claims of the affected patients and their relatives^[1]

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