Covid-19 China: There is a furore due to Coronavirus in China. There the corona infection has spread to such an extent in many big cities that there are piles of dead bodies. There is no space left to admit patients in hospitals. Many patients have to be treated outside the ward. China approved two Covid-19 antivirals this year – Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Chinese firm Genuine Biotech’s Azvudine Covid-19, both of which are available only in a few hospitals. Limited supply and exorbitant prices of medicines have forced people to opt for cheaper but illegally imported generic medicines from India.
China’s pharmaceutical market has reportedly turned into a black market for generic COVID-19 drugs as people there grapple with an unprecedented outbreak with limited supplies of approved antivirals. Many people are looking for cheap medicines to protect themselves and this shortage is being overcome by taking generic medicines made in India. However, these generic drugs are not approved by the Chinese government and selling them is a punishable offence.
Indian generic anti-covid drugs being sold in China
As South China Morning reported, topics such as ‘Indian anti-Covid generic drugs sold for 1,000 yuan per box’ are trending on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, with people discussing ways to acquire these drugs. Please tell that 1,000 yuan is equal to 144 US dollars and according to the Indian currency, this amount is not very much. According to the report, 4 types of generic anti-covid medicines from India are being sold illegally in the Chinese market, including Primovir, Paxista, Molnunate and Molnatris.
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may have to face legal action
According to the online portal Tencent News, the price of Paxlovid is 2,980 yuan per box while a box of drugs manufactured in India can be bought for 530 to 1,600 yuan. Under China’s Drug Administration Law, drugs imported from abroad are not considered counterfeit even if they are not approved in China. However, people selling them face legal action for illegal purchases without a license.
Government said – do not buy medicines illegally
Public health experts and doctors in China have warned of the potential dangers of these drugs and urged people not to buy them illegally. According to Monday’s state media report, distribution of paxlovid and ajvudine is expected to start in China’s community hospitals.
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