Raids yield haul of illegal antivirals

Seller imported drugs through India

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul holds a vial of remdesivir, one of 8,000 illegally imported antiviral drugs from India worth about 10 million baht on Thursday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Public Wellness Minister Anutin Charnvirakul holds a vial of remdesivir, certainly one of 8, 000 illegally imported antiviral medications from India really worth about 10 million baht on Thursday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

The particular Ministry of Open public Health warned the general public not to purchase antiviral drugs without a prescribed after its employees joined police to raid houses in Bangkok. They seized 80, 000 unlawfully imported tablets worth about 10 million baht being sold on the internet.

Law enforcement said a tip from the ministry’s As well as Drug Administration (FDA) led law enforcement providers to raid 2 houses in Taling Chan and Wang Thong Lang zones on Thursday. As a whole, they seized two, 300 boxes that contains 80, 000 capsules of mostly molnupiravir and favipiravir.

Pol Maj Gen Anan Nanasombat, commander of the police’s consumer protection division, said officers probed two online stores offering the medicines and found they will received products from an agent in Wang Thong Lang.

The broker admitted she received the products from a wholesaler in Taling Chan, he said.

A dealer imported the drugs from India over the past two months, he stated, adding the main shipment was sent via post office in Nonthaburi’s Chaeng Wattana district.

“The case is specific as we have arrested all of the culprits, including the flower nurseries, the agent as well as the online seller, inch Pol Maj Style Anan said.

“Those three culprits are billed with selling illegal drugs without an allow and selling drugs not approved by the particular authorities under the Drug Act. ”

The potential foods face up to five yrs in prison and a maximum good of 10, 500 baht for offering illegal drugs without a permit and another three years and/or a maximum fine associated with 5, 000 baht for selling drugs without FDA acceptance.

Minister of Public Wellness Anutin Charnvirakul said the government is the sole importer of antiviral drugs, including favipiravir, monulpiravir and remdesivir which are distributed to convey and private hospitals pertaining to Covid-19 patients.

Mr Anutin said the drugs are for emergency use so a doctor’s prescription is required due to strong side effects.