Be careful when buying 'hand-carried' medicine to treat Covid-19

In Vietnam, this medicine has not been licensed by the Ministry of Health, and is currently sold widely on social networks and online channels. The medicine is "hand-carried" (unofficially imported) from Russia or China, with a blue or red shell, Chinese or Russian characters, so buyers often call it "green medicine" or "red medicine".

Pharmacist Ha Quang Tuyen - Head of Pharmacy Department, Hanoi Medical University Hospital said that recently, he has continuously received many calls asking for advice on "hand-carried" Covid-19 treatment drugs from Russia and China. These drugs are advertised by sellers as having "few side effects, being gentle for the elderly, and being taken early to prevent post-Covid factors". Questions that pharmacist Tuyen often encounters include: "What medicine is this?", "What are its effects?", "Should I buy it?", "Buy green or red medicine"...

According to a VnExpress survey, these drugs are sold directly on groups and personal pages on social networks... so people can easily access and buy them, at any price, and they are delivered to their doorsteps upon request. Currently, drug prices have been pushed up 3-4 times, and they are often out of stock in the context of rapidly increasing infections, with many F0s being treated at home.

Pharmacist Tuyen said the "blue medicine, red medicine" Arbidol (Umifenovir) was tested onCovid-19 patientsin China at the early stage of the outbreak, however, the results on the effectiveness of the drug are inconsistent between studies. Preclinical trials showed that Arbidol has antiviral activity against some human respiratory viruses such as influenza A, B, C, adenovirus, rhinovirus...

"Many clinical studies of drugs have been halted due to low effectiveness or the risks and unwanted effects of the drugs being much greater than the effectiveness," said the pharmacist.

Some drugs of unknown origin are being sold with advertisements "treating Covid-19". Photo: Provided by a doctor

In addition, according to pharmacist Tuyen, antiviral drugs are indicated for certain Covid-19 patients. Therefore, users of these drugs need to follow the doctor's instructions. The drugs also have many contraindications, requiring users to follow the instructions for use and monitor side effects.

Medicine is a special product related to human health, both in the short and long term, the drug licensing process is very strict. The above "hand-carried" drugs have not been licensed by the Ministry of Health. Therefore, pharmacists believe that using drugs of unknown origin and quality is both legally wrong because the drugs are not licensed for circulation, and is harmful to life when used incorrectly, and creates opportunities for sellers to make personal profits.

Another medicine that many people, especially in the North, are using to treat Covid-19 is Lien Hoa Thanh On. However, Lien Hoa Thanh On is being warned by many countries that it contains addictive substances and is dangerous for people using it to treat Covid-19. This medicine is also not included in the list of medicines for Covid-19 patients by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to pharmacists, Lianhua Qingwen was popular during the SARS outbreak in 2003 and was used in China as an over-the-counter cold remedy. It contains herbs such as honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckle, ephedra and pine root. It is said to detoxify the lungs and clear heat, and was passed around among Chinese people as a Covid-19 treatment when Omicron spread rapidly.

Hui Yang, Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine and General Medicine at Monash University, Australia, told ABC News that Lien Hoa Thanh On was approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China to treat people infected with the Corona virus with mild symptoms such as cough, fever and fatigue.

However, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently announced that it would not license Lien Hoa Thanh On because it contains ephedra, the main ingredient in methamphetamine (a synthetic addictive substance). A TGA spokesperson said: "Ephedra can pose serious risks to patients, including heart toxicity, irreversible eye damage and decreased blood sugar levels."

According to the TGA, China allows the use of ephedra to treat conditions such as colds and asthma. However, patients need to be closely monitored by a doctor qualified in traditional medicine. "Ephedra is not approved as a treatment for Covid-19 and should not be used to treat Covid," the TGA advised.

Singaporean authorities also warned against using Lotus Flower to treat Covid-19 in late 2021. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said the drug is not licensed to treat people infected with nCoV.

Some Lianhua Qingwen products are part of a group of Chinese medicines that are proprietary in Singapore and help relieve flu symptoms. "HSA approved them based on the reported efficacy of their ingredients, but to date there is no clinical evidence that they can prevent or treat Covid-19," CNA quoted HSA as saying.

According to HSA, herbal remedies for the common cold and flu should only be used to relieve symptoms such as headache, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat and cough.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned some pharmaceutical companies that have falsely advertised Lien Hoa Thanh On that they can reduce, prevent, and treat Covid-19.

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Health has not issued any warnings about Lien Hoa Thanh On, and as for Arbidol and Areplivir, the drugs have not been licensed for circulation or official import. Drugs sold online and in forums are all smuggled goods, of unknown origin and quality, and are "committed to be treated orally"...

Recently, Hanoi Police coordinated with the Market Management Department to inspect and seize 3 cases of transporting and storing Covid-19 treatment drugs with foreign words on the products but without documents proving their origin.

The Ministry of Health has asked the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health to check and verify the situation of buying and selling Covid-19 treatment drugs (in clinical trials, not yet licensed for circulation) on social networks and online platforms.

Experts recommend that F0 who cannot contact the medical system due to overload should be careful in choosing information channels to get help, not waste money and help drug smuggling groups. People should also not use prescriptions spread online without being prescribed by a doctor. In fact, there have been many cases of drug misuse and overdose causing poisoning. Depending on your symptoms, the doctor will recommend a separate treatment regimen, because there are contraindicated drugs that F0 cannot fully understand.