Japan is currently grappling with unprecedented drug shortages caused by a surge in panic buying during a severe flu outbreak. Since late December last year, the country has seen flu cases reach record highs, placing immense pressure on hospitals and pharmacies across the nation.
According to data from China Media Group, the uneven distribution of flu medications has been exacerbated by excessive hoarding by certain medical institutions. Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported approximately 9.523 million flu cases between September 2, 2024, and January 26, 2025, highlighting the scale of the outbreak.
The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare revealed that the final week of December 2024 saw the highest weekly flu caseload since record-keeping began in 1999. During this peak week, around 5,000 designated medical institutions treated 317,812 patients, averaging 64.39 cases per facility—significantly surpassing the government's warning threshold of 30 cases.
In response to the escalating situation, health officials have continuously urged citizens to adopt preventive measures, including mask-wearing and thorough handwashing, to curb the spread of the virus.
Compounding the health crisis, Japan is also dealing with a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. In January, approximately 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warned that these outbreaks show no signs of abating and could potentially break existing records.
The avian influenza crisis has also impacted the economy, with egg prices increasing by 15 percent since the start of the year. The ministry emphasized the need for continued vigilance to manage the situation effectively.
Reference(s):
Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
