Amid reports of counterfeit coronavirus disease (COVID-19) medicines such as Molnupiravir, the Department of Health (DOH) released an advisory on Wednesday, Jan. 19
Molnupiravir, according to DOH, is a drug for mild cases of COVID-19 currently provided with an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and previously with a Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
DOH reminded the public that Molnupiravir is an oral medication for patients confirmed to have COVID-19 through RT-PCR testing, exhibiting mild symptoms, who are older than 60 years old, with active cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, serious heart conditions, or diabetes mellitus.
"Molnupiravir is safe and effective when used in the correct patients and administered for no more than five (5) days. Using the drug improperly can cause harm, especially if it is used in the wrong target population, for longer than 5 days, or in patients who do not have confirmed COVID-19 infection," DOH said.
It added that Molnupiravir should only be used under the supervision of a licensed physician.
"It is your physician who will help secure your medicines and ensure that they are authentic by referring you to authorized sellers, e.g. hospital pharmacies," DOH explained.
It also mentioned that there is no guarantee that Molnupiravir sold from unauthorized sources are genuine and purchasing of such products may pose serious health risks for the consumer.
"Let us not put ourselves more at risk by purchasing from unreliable sources or by self-medicating with medicines under EUA/CSP," DOH urged.