A senior executive of a Bangkok-based private hospital has been summoned by police to answer charges in connection with the alleged illegal resale of the anti-Covid drug Favipiravir.
Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) said on Monday a summons has been issued for the executive to meet police on Thursday following the recent arrest of a manager at the same hospital.
CPPD commander Anan Nanasombat said the manager admitted to police to having been authorised to resell the drug from the executive.
Pol Maj Gen Anan was speaking at a press briefing on progress in the case. The briefing was jointly delivered by representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Health Service Support (DoHSS) and the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO).
The police commander said that on Oct 28, investigators searched the hospital and seized documents confirming orders made to the GPO for the Favipiravir drug although the hospital was treating no Covid-19 patients.
The drug was later resold outside of the hospital.
The hospital executive responsible for approving the resale is facing a summons to report to the police to answer legal charges on Thursday. The charges include breaches of the Medical Establishments Act, the Medicine Act and the Pharmaceutical Profession Act.
The police commander said it was best to purchase the drug from authorised chemists.
DoHSS director-general Thares Krassanairawiwong warned hospitals to oversee the legal and proper dispensing of its medicines to prevent misappropriation and profiteering of its drug stockpiles.
Acting FDA deputy director-general, Supatra Boonserm, said the agency would review the Favipiravir purchase orders with the GPO made by hospitals. The checks would detect any irregular "leakage" of the drug.
The FDA has vowed tough legal action against any hospital involved in reselling Favipiravir which is a controlled, prescription drug.
She also warned people not to buy Favipiravir online without a doctor's approval.
The police and FDA say they uncovered the alleged illegal sale by the hospital manager on Oct 26. The authorities raided eight locations in Bangkok, Saraburi, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi.
Nine suspects, including the manager, were arrested and 390 boxes of Favipiravir were confiscated.
The drug was bought by the hospital for 1,600 baht a box and resold for up to 8,000 baht, according to police.