A woman buys medicines at a pharmacy in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Health has asked relevant agencies and units to strengthen inspections and prevent unauthorised selling of the antiviral drugs used to treat COVID-19.

The department has sent a document requiring all health sub-departments at district level and the Drug, Cosmetics and Food Quality Control Centre to enhance management of the use, sales and purchase of COVID-19 treatment drugs.

The pandemic situation is still developing in a complicated manner in the city, so the demand for COVID-19 treatment drugs has increased sharply, the department said.

It has also asked authorised units to strengthen inspections on price and any other activities taking advantage of drug shortages in the market to speculate, store and increase selling prices.

Relevant agencies have also been asked to promptly detect and handle violations on the purchase and sale of rapid test kits and drugs of unknown origin to treat COVID-19 patients.

The Drug, Cosmetics and Food Quality Control Centre needs to increase the collection of samples to quickly detect poor-quality and unknown origin drugs, and report any violation to the department.

Health department inspectors have been assigned to coordinate with functional agencies to strengthen inspections and examinations to prevent and handle unauthorised purchase and sale of drugs of unknown origin, as well as counterfeit and smuggled drugs used to treat COVID-19.

Local medicine importers, traders and pharmacies have been asked to instruct people clearly on the use of drugs. They should also comply fully with all relevant regulations, the department has directed. — VNS