Japan is grappling with a significant shortage of flu medication as panic buying and hoarding exacerbate uneven stock distribution amidst a record-breaking influenza outbreak.
According to data released on January 31 by Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases, approximately 9.523 million flu cases were recorded between September 2, 2024, and January 26, 2025. The surge has overwhelmed healthcare facilities, leading to shortages of essential flu medicines in hospitals and pharmacies.
The 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. During that week, around 5,000 designated medical institutions reported 317,812 patients—an average of 64.39 cases per facility—far exceeding the government's warning threshold of 30.
Health officials attribute the medication shortages to uneven stock distribution, worsened by excessive hoarding by certain medical institutions. In response, they have repeatedly urged citizens to adopt preventive measures such as wearing masks and thorough handwashing to curb the spread of the virus.
Compounding the situation, Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. In January alone, approximately 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warned that the outbreaks show no signs of slowing and could potentially worsen, possibly breaking previous records.
The avian flu outbreak has also impacted the economy, with egg prices rising by 15 percent since the start of the year, according to the ministry. This increase adds financial strain to consumers already dealing with the effects of the influenza epidemic.
As both human and avian influenza cases continue to rise, officials emphasize the importance of public cooperation in following health advisories to mitigate the spread and impact of the diseases.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
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