Oral COVID-19 Drugs Available Online in China？
Oral COVID-19 Drugs Available Online in China？
Pic: Yicai Global
Paxlovid and Azvudine are not sold online currently
On December 13th, it was reported that the COVID-19 consultation clinic of the Internet Hospital under 111, Inc. began to pre-sell the COVID-19 oral antiviral drug Paxlovid, priced at 2980 yuan/box. Immediately afterward, Fosun Pharma, the exclusive commercialization partner of the domestic COVID-19 oral drug Azvudine, also stated that Azvudine is about to be "online sold". Online prescriptions will need to be implemented first, which needs a positive nucleic acid test or a positive antigen test as a basis.
Less than a day after listing and releasing pre-sale related news, 111, Inc removed Paxlovid. And both companies quickly responded: not online sales, but online diagnosis and medication services in accordance with national regulations. Several medical experts have reminded that patients with mild symptoms do not need to take special antiviral drugs, let alone hoard them. Depending on the severity of symptoms and whether there is a trend toward the risk of becoming severe, it is necessary to find a professional doctor to prescribe it according to the indications of CT.
Pic: 观察者网
For patients with mild symptoms, asymptomatic, and stable underlying diseases, online clinic consultation and medication can be implemented during home isolation.
The State Council issued a notice on Dec. 12th, clarifying that medical institutions can prescribe online for the treatment of symptoms related to the disease. It also encouraged the commissioning of eligible third parties to deliver medications to patients’ homes.
On December 13th and 14th, medical institutions in Shanghai, Guizhou, Beijing, Guangdong, Shandong, etc., successively announced that they can conduct online consultations and accept the first consultation. Take JiadingDistrict Central Hospital as an example:
Step 1
WeChat public account search and follow the "Jiading District Central Hospital" ("嘉定区中心医院") public account, click "More Services" ("更多服务").
Step 2
Click on the "Internet Hospital" ("互联网医院").
Step 3
Fillin the patient's information.
Step 4
Click "Register" ("挂号") and select "Quick Cold Dispensing" ("感冒快速配药").
When the patient enters the "Confirm Order" ("确认订单") page, the patient needs to fill in the "Consignee Information" ("收货人信息"), and click "Submit Order" ("提交订单") to make payment after completing the filling.
Step 5
After the prescription payment is completed, inquire about logistics: Enter the home page and click "My Medication" ("我的用药") - "My Order" ("我的订单") to inquire about the prescription logistics.
Pic: 上海市嘉定区中心医院
Although online diagnosis and treatment are convenient for patients who may be infected with the coronavirus, the Notice issued on December 12th still emphasizes that in the process of carrying out online diagnosis and treatment services, if medical institutions find that the patient's condition has changed or there are other unsuitable online diagnosis and treatment services, physicians should guide patients to physical medical institutions for treatment. While officially announcing the first consultation of coronavirus patients, the above-mentioned hospitals have also reminded doctors that if they find that online diagnosis and treatment services are not suitable, they will guide patients to offline hospitals.
Any questions about buying medicine?
Ask AnyHelper!
Follow AnyHelper and ask your questions now!
Source: Yicai Global, 中国新闻网, 第一财经,, 上海市嘉定区中心医院
Get daily news, tips, and events in Shanghai
Connect with expat communities and industry experts
For the latest jobs&policy updates, scan the code below to follow AnyJob!
If you have any questions about China visa applications (work visa, PU letter, company registration and more), please contact our visa consultant Maggie (WeChat ID: AnyHelper_K).
Click "Wow" if you like this article