Romania: health minister resigns over disinfectant row

In this photo taken on Friday, May 6, 2016 women wear masks that read 'Corruption Kills' during a protest joined by hundreds against irregularities in the country's health system. Prosecutors searched the Hexi Pharma offices, a drugs company which authorities say has supplied dozens of hospitals with sub-standard disinfectant, and the home of the company owner Saturday, May 7, while police officers took away documents and samples from 25 hospitals in Bucharest and around the country that were affected by the issue. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken on Friday, May 6, 2016 a man holds a paper with a cartoon depiction of germs that reads: "We live 95 percent alright" during a protest joined by hundreds against irregularities in the country's health system. Prosecutors searched the Hexi Pharma offices, a drugs company which authorities say has supplied dozens of hospitals with sub-standard disinfectant for surfaces and doctors' hands, and the home of the company owner Saturday, May 7, while police officers took away documents and samples from 25 hospitals in Bucharest and around the country that were affected by the issue. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken on Friday, May 6, 2016 a woman wears a mask that reads 'Silence Kills' during a protest joined by hundreds against irregularities in the country's health system. Prosecutors searched the Hexi Pharma offices, a drugs company which authorities say has supplied dozens of hospitals with sub-standard disinfectant, and the home of the company owner Saturday, May 7, while police officers took away documents and samples from 25 hospitals in Bucharest and around the country that were affected by the issue. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

Romania's health minister has resigned amid public outrage over the use of sub-standard disinfectants in dozens of Romanian hospitals.

Health Minister Patriciu Achimas-Cadariu resigned Monday, after authorities announced a probe into how the disinfectant was used at 50 hospitals.

Authorities on Saturday conducted searches at hospitals and the offices of drug company Hexi Pharma, which reportedly supplied dozens of hospitals with the disinfectant for use on surfaces and hands.

Police took away documents and samples from 25 hospitals, where tests revealed there were problems with the disinfectant.

About 500 people protested Friday in Bucharest over the latest scandal to hit the underfunded health care system. Thousands of medics emigrate annually and bribery and informal payments are rife in the system.