Japan is grappling with a severe shortage of flu medication as panic buying and uneven stock distribution exacerbate the nation's worst influenza outbreak in decades. Since flu cases hit a record high in late December last year, hospitals and pharmacies across the country have been struggling to keep up with the surging demand for antiviral drugs.
According to China Media Group, the medication shortage has been attributed to uneven stock distribution, further intensified by excessive hoarding by certain medical institutions. This has left many patients, especially the elderly and vulnerable populations, without access to necessary treatment.
Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimated that from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, the country recorded approximately 9.523 million flu cases. Data released on January 31 highlights the unprecedented scale of the outbreak, marking a critical public health concern for the nation.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reported on January 11, 2025, that the final week of December 2024 saw the highest weekly flu caseload since record-keeping began in 1999. Approximately 5,000 designated medical institutions reported 317,812 patients during that week alone—averaging 64.39 cases per facility. This figure far surpasses the government's warning threshold of 30 cases, signaling an alarming escalation.
In response to the escalating outbreak, health officials have repeatedly urged citizens to adopt preventative measures such as wearing masks and practicing thorough hand hygiene. Public awareness campaigns are emphasizing these basic yet effective strategies to curb the spread of the virus.
Compounding the nation's health challenges, Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. In January, around 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures in an effort to contain the spread. The country's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warned that the outbreaks show no signs of slowing and the situation may worsen, potentially breaking previous records.
The ministry also noted the economic impact of the avian influenza outbreaks on egg prices, reporting a 15 percent increase since the start of the year. This surge is placing additional financial strain on households and businesses already affected by the flu epidemic.
As Japan confronts these concurrent health crises, authorities are intensifying efforts to manage the situation and mitigate further impacts on public health and the economy. The government continues to monitor the outbreaks closely, urging cooperation from medical institutions and the public to navigate these challenging times.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
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