Thousands of smuggled medicines seized in HCM City

Authorities in HCM City have seized 2,800 smuggled boxes of medicines claiming to be used for treating Covid-19.

Authorities in HCM City have seized 2,800 smuggled boxes of medicines claiming to be used for treating Covid-19.

  

Lianhua Qingwen capsules

HCM City Department of Market Surveillance said on August 11 that they had worked with the city police to check the house in An Dong Vuong Alleyway and discovered a large number of smuggled medicines under the Lianhua Qingwen label.

The owner bought the capsules from a woman in Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh Province for VND78,000 (USD3.40) a box, and resold them online for a profit. He was unable to provide the necessary papers for the medicines. The medicines are worth nearly VND200m and have been seized by the police for investigation.

It was advertised online that the medicines can treat coughing, fever, throat pain and prevent and treat Covid-19.

Lianhua Qingwen is Chinese traditional medicine and developed for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) after the outbreak in 2002. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese government approved the use of Lianhua Qingwen for mild to moderate patients.

However, it hasn't been recognised internationally as a Covid-19 treatment as it only treats the symptoms, not the virus. Some western countries cautioned people to be careful to use the medicine.

The Ministry of Health of Vietnam advised the residents to contact medical stations and go to hospitals if they have the symptoms instead of using functional food or unknown medicines.