(Yicai Global) Dec. 14 -- Vendors on Chinese e-commerce platforms have begun selling Indian-made generic oral Covid-19 treatments based on drugs from firms such as Pfizer and Merck Sharp & Dohme, despite the products not being approved in China.

The platforms, including JD.Com, Tmall and Pinduoduo, have been rushing to pull the products from stores due to their illegality.

A search of MSD's simplified Chinese name on JD.com yesterday returned results for an Indian-made generic drug based on Molnupiravir, an oral Covid-19 therapy developed by Merck and Ridgeback, the Economic Observer reported the same day. There were also drugs based on Pfizer's Paxlovid oral Covid-19 treatment, the report said, priced from CNY725 (USD104) to over CNY1,000 (USD144) for each box or bottle. 

No prescription was required to buy these generic drugs, a member of the customer service staff at an online store told China Star Market, a news site run by Shanghai Jiemian Cailianshe Technology. The products would be mailed from India after the orders are placed, with the buyers set to receive them 15 days to 35 days later. 

Customer service staff at another drugs store on JD.com said the products were not currently in stock, but it would take about half a month for them to be sent from Hong Kong. The staff claimed the store was operated by an Indian firm that is licensed to make all drugs that are legal in the country. The firm co-operates with various world-famous Indian pharmaceutical firms, they said, adding that all the products are authentic. 

Merck & Co. said in September that it had agreed to allow Sinopharm to import and distribute Molnupiravir in China, but this was conditional on the drug being approved for use in the country. 

Meanwhile, the global Medicines Patent Pool signed agreements with 27 manufacturers to produce generic products based on Molnupiravir for supply in 105 low- and middle-income countries in January, but China is not among them. This means generic drugs based on Molnupiravir are not authorized for supply in the Chinese market. 

Paxlovid was approved by Chinese regulators in February, with the China Medicine Health Industry responsible for commercial distribution in the Chinese mainland. Covid-19 patients can buy it following diagnosis and prescription from doctors for CNY2,980 a pack.

Third-party platforms must enhance inspections of drug vendors and manage drug information, prescription reviews, drug sales and distribution, per the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Online Sale of Medicines, which took effect on Dec. 1.

Editor: Tom Litting