A private hospital in Pathum Thani is within hot water for advertising home isolation packs that included antiviral Favipiravir and Molnupiravir tablets without permission, according to the Department of Health Service Support.
Dr Thares Krasanairawiwong, its director-general, yesterday said the department conducted a probe at a hospital in Khlong Luang district as purchased by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul after he heard about the packs being advertised on social media.
The particular inquiry discovered that the hospital offered various Covid-19 treatment packages for property patients and some integrated prescription-only Favipiravir plus Molnupiravir pills.
The anti-viral pills are designated specially controlled medications. The government has allocated ample batches of those pills for Covid-19 treatment, which cannot be distributed freely without permission.
Hospitals are required to look for departmental permission to advertise, but the hospital had not done so.
The hospital and people at fault were charged with breaching Section 38 of Wellness Facility Act 1998, which carries a maximum term of one calendar year in jail and/or a fine of up to twenty, 000 baht having a daily fine of up to 10, 000 baht until the ad can be suspended.
Dr Thares warned people not purchase the advertised pills because they may be fake or substandard and pose a threat to health. He furthermore urged people to contact the department’s 1426 hotline or the As well as Drug Administration’s 1556 hotline if they find similar ads.