Japan is grappling with drug shortages as panic buying escalates amid a severe flu outbreak. Since late December last year, flu cases have soared to unprecedented levels, overwhelming hospitals and pharmacies across the country.
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported that between September 2, 2024, and January 26, 2025, Japan recorded approximately 9.523 million flu cases. Data released on January 31 highlights the severity of the situation, with the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare noting that the final week of December 2024 saw the highest weekly flu caseload since records began in 1999.
During that peak week, around 5,000 designated medical institutions reported a staggering 317,812 patients, averaging 64.39 cases per facility—well above the government's warning threshold of 30. In response, health officials have repeatedly urged citizens to adopt preventive measures such as mask-wearing and thorough handwashing.
Adding to the challenges, Japan is experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. Approximately 5 million chickens and other birds have been culled across five prefectures in January. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has warned that these outbreaks show no signs of slowing and may even break records, affecting egg prices, which have risen by 15 percent since the start of the year.
Reference(s):
Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
