News Japanese pharmacies and drug stores requested to prevent hoarding

The boon and the bane of returning Chinese tourists: the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has asked the Japan Pharmaceutical Association and other industry organizations to take steps to prevent hoarding of fever medications and painkillers used to treat the symptoms of COVID-19. The request did not mention any specific countries, though there have been reports of Chinese tourists in Japan buying up inventories of over-the-counter medications in response to the rapid spread of infections in China.

The memo also urges the industry groups to post notices in stores that the resale of purchased pharmaceuticals may be in violation of the law. According to the ministry, pharmaceutical companies have no current inventory problems. However, there are concerns that a rush of desperate purchases could impact the stable supply of medicine in Japan. The ministry also requested that wholesalers and other businesses not place excessive orders and not stockpile inventory.

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Paywall alert:

There's a limit to meds going through the airports. Over the counter meds have always been like a NO NO that are in quantity .

Also all main post offices now have a x ray machine the goes through every parcel overseas and there is a questionare that has to be filled by phone nowadays. It got really suffiticated .