China struggles with increasing patients and drug shortage: report

Beijing: In the midst of the continuing Covid surge, China is facing acute shortage of basic drugs and testing kits, reports suggest.

After authorities told people to stay at home and treat themselves, there has been a run on basic drugs that led to emptying out pharmacies in major cities, according to AFP.

Millions are reportedly struggling to obtain drugs for fever and antigen kits as authorities requisitioned medical supplies production from across the nation.

More than a dozen Chinese pharmaceutical firms have been tapped by officials to help "secure supplies" of key drugs, AFP reported.

The situation has been precipitated by China’s sudden repeal of its zero covid policy after months of lockdowns and quarantines.

The government has seized production facilities of at least 11 of 42 licensed test kit makers after the situation worsened.

One of the antigen test maker, Wiz Biotech based in the southern city of Xiamen, reportedly confirmed the local government requisitioning their produce.

A municipality in Beijing said in its website that authorities sent their staff to six manufactures of antigen kits to help them increase production.

Futher reports from China showed the Covid situation is getting out of control across the cities, with people openly reporting their struggle.

One resident of Chengdu told AFP that her family was sick and she was unable to buy medicine for fever.

A dozen pharmacies on Thursday reported shortage of fever medicines.

Zhuhai city made registration mandatory for buying fever medicines at more than 500 pharmacies, while rationing six tablets a week to residents.