Sudden COVID-19 surge resulting to acute shortage of medicines in China

Following the Xi Jinping-led government’s announcement of relaxations in its zero-Covid policy, the pharmaceutical industry in China is finding it difficult to meet the rising demand for medications.

Due to the extreme scarcity of medications in China, many individuals have begun to consume outdated drugs, according to local media.

According to media reports, local equivalents of Tylenol and Advil are practically difficult to acquire at pharmacies in China, causing national outrage. Regional governments have taken initiatives to limit sales and enhance supplies of popular fever medications in order to calm frantic buying.

China has also restricted the export of numerous raw materials required in the manufacture of important pharmaceuticals, resulting in drug shortages in countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party’s pronouncement on January 8 about the loosening of epidemic prevention and control regulations has sparked fears across the country that COVID-19 cases may grow further.