The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Sunday, Jan. 16, warned all healthcare professionals and the public against buying molnupiravir, an investigational drug used in the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), from unauthorized entities.

In a statement, FDA said the sudden demand for the drug product due to the recent COVID-19 surge, has attracted unscrupulous individuals or organizations from distributing and selling molnupiravir in the market at a much higher price even without the required authorization.

Buying medicines in unlicensed establishments or over the internet can pose serious health risks. Furthermore, a medicine bought in an unlicensed establishment or online cannot be guaranteed as genuine and may contain no active ingredient, too much or too little active ingredient which may result in the condition/ailments not being treated correctly. Also, this medicine may not be stored correctly in accordance with its appropriate storage condition," FDA said.

"Healthcare professionals, patients and consumers are strongly advised to access Molnupiravir only through the Department of Health as the national procurer for drug products under EUA or to hospitals/institutions granted with CSP," it added.

Molnupiravir has been made available in the country through Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) which is being granted by the FDA to an applicant hospital, institution, or licensed physician with a named patient through an FDA-licensed drug manufacturer or importer.