Public warned vs illegal purchase of Molnupiravir

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-COVID pill Molnupiravir is being marketed at a much higher price amid a surge in infections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported yesterday.

The FDA said Molnupiravir should not be sold commercially and must be accessed only through the Department of Health (DOH) and hospitals with a compassionate special permit or CSP.

“Buying medicines from unlicensed establishments or over the internet can pose serious health risks,” the FDA warned the public.

“Drugs purchased online cannot be guaranteed as genuine and may contain no active, too much or too little active ingredient, which may not treat the patients correctly,” the FDA added.

According to the agency, anti-COVID drugs being sold in the market may not have been stored properly.

The FDA noted that Molnupiravir has been initially made available in the country through CSP.

Last month, the FDA granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Molnupiravir (Molnarz) 200-mg capsule.

“However, this is to emphasize that EUA is not a marketing authorization or a certificate of product registration. So it cannot be used as an authorization to market the drug commercially,” the FDA pointed out.

The procurement and distribution of drugs under EUA, such as Molnupiravir should follow the guidelines issued by the Department of Health, according to the FDA.