Chinese drug marketed as COVID-19 cure on social media is illegal: FDA

Published 14 January 2021

Ei Thinzar Kyaw

The drug, Lianhua Quinhwen Jiaonang, on sales on social web pages as cure for COVID-19, has been found not to have any guarantee of quality, and so is not to be consumed or sold, as disclosed by the Consumers' Affairs Department on 12th January.

In its statement, the Department of Consumers' Affairs has said that the drug Lianhua Quinhwen Jiaonang being sold on social media as a cure for COVID-19, is an traditional medicine that has been produced and imported from abroad. The aforesaid drug has not been registered with the FDA and the Department of Traditional Medicine. As this drug has not been scrutinized by the departments concerned no guarantee can be given for its effectiveness, and so it ought not to be consumed by the public. It is banned from being sold in markets. Those caught dealing in the sales of this drug will be prosecuted as per prevailing laws.

At the moment COVID-19 vaccines are being used in foreign countries, and vaccines of less effectiveness could come in illegally and so the FDA will notify the public, as learnt from the Ministry of Health and Sports.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Business and Trade, the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, and International Relations Ministry everything is being done to enable the purchase of COVID-19 related drugs and medical equipment, and related items to prevent the disease. It is with the co-operation of these ministries that the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines will be made, said the Ministry of Health and Sports.

It has been notified by the Ministry of Health and Sports that the public refrain from purchasing COVID-19 vaccines that are being sold on social websites, internet pages,and online markets.

At the moment the Ministry of Health and Sports has permitted online applications to purchase drugs and medical equipment used for the prevention of COVID-19.

During the COVID 19 period, it was learnt that the Ministry of Health and Sports is working together with other organizations to facilitate the import of COVID-19 related drugs and drugs for chronic diseases and for the elderly.