Government fears COVID-hit Chinese visitors might disrupt
painkiller supply
Nikkei staff writersJanuary 11, 2023 15:27 JST
TOKYO -- The
Japanese government has requested that drugstores and other retailers take
steps to prevent hoarding of fever medications and painkillers used to treat
the symptoms of COVID-19.
The request did not mention any
specific countries, but there have been reports of Chinese tourists in Japan
buying up inventories of over-the-counter medications in response to the rapid
spread of infections in China.
The request -- an administrative
communication by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare -- was dated Dec.
26 and addressed to the Japan Pharmaceutical Association and other industry
organizations. It requests that measures be taken to prevent hoarding, like
limiting the amount of medicines one person can purchase at a time and
preventing repeat purchases.
The memo also urges the industry
groups to post notices in stores that the resale of purchased pharmaceuticals
may be in violation of the law.
According to the ministry,
pharmaceutical companies have no current inventory problems. However, there are
concerns that a rush of desperate purchases could impact the stable supply of
medicine in Japan.
The ministry also requested that
wholesalers and other businesses not place excessive orders and not stockpile
inventory.
Japan on Sunday implemented a
testing mandate on travelers from China, which began fighting a surge in COVID
infections in early December, when it dropped its zero-COVID policy.
Travelers whose trips originate in
China now must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arriving in Japan.
The mandate provoked Beijing to
retaliate by suspending the issuance of visas to Japanese travelers. Tokyo in
turn has protested the decision.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Japan-asks-drugstores-to-prevent-medicine-hoarding-by-tourists
No comments:
Post a Comment