As Covid cases catapult in China and other parts of the world, Chinese authorities have called for the production of medical supplies as drug stores run out, leaving millions across the country scrambling for medicine. basics and test kits. China is reportedly witnessing a new surge in coronavirus cases due to the BF.7 variant, a sub-variant of Omicron BA. 5 – days after lockdown restrictions were eased.
Pharmacies in major Chinese cities have been left uncovered following the sudden decision by Xi Jinping’s government to lift strict lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing, leading to a frantic attempt to hoard all necessities amid covid. and other viral infections continue to rise.
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Here are the latest developments:
1) To deal with drug shortages and help “secure supplies” of key medicines, Chinese officials have turned to more than a dozen Chinese pharmaceutical companies to help with key drugs, according to the AFP news agency. At least 11 of the 42 test kit makers whose products are licensed by China’s medical regulators have had part of their production seized by the government.
2) Drug shortages have also prompted people to turn to the black market, with people seeking online sales channels to obtain generic versions of drugs made elsewhere and not approved for sale in China, according to a report from Bloomberg. These antivirals are charged at very high prices.
3) In Beijing, authorities have sent additional staff to six manufacturers of antigen kits to help them “increase production,” according to the municipality’s website. Meanwhile, in the eastern city of Hangzhou, authorities urged citizens to order medicines “rationally” rather than “blindly” hoarding them.
4) At the same time, hospital wards in major Chinese cities are filling up with elderly Covid-19 patients. One study estimated that China may already be recording more than a million new infections and at least 5,000 deaths every day, amid criticism of a lack of transparent data on Covid deaths and infections.
5) Covid cases have also been on the rise in the US and Japan, while India has detected at least three cases of the Omicron BF.7 variant so far. However, experts have said there is no need to panic as patients are recovering from the disease.
