China is requisitioning the production of certain pharmaceutical companies, at a time when millions of Chinese are struggling to obtain basic drugs to treat themselves in the face of an unprecedented wave of Covid-19.
Since 2020, Beijing has imposed strict health measures, in the name of a so-called “zero Covid” policy which has made it possible to protect those most at risk and those who are poorly vaccinated.
For nearly three years, rare were the Chinese to know in their entourage a person sick with Covid.
But the power ended without notice most of the restrictions in early December amid growing exasperation among the population and a considerable impact on the economy.
Need to “secure supply”
Since then, Covid cases in China have exploded and a large part of the Chinese are left to fend for themselves, at a time when fever medication and self-tests are lacking in the face of exponential demand.
Amidst shortages, at least a dozen pharmaceutical companies have been ordered to "
guarantee supply
" of key drugs - a euphemism for requisitioning.
Wiz Biotech, a manufacturer of antigen tests in Xiamen, indicated on its official account the "
requisition
" of its production by local authorities.
A representative of Wiz Biotech confirmed the measurement to AFP.
Read alsoCovid-19 in China: do the images of overwhelmed hospitals really reflect reality?
“Excessive purchases”
In Beijing, the authorities have sent additional staff to six kit manufacturers to help them "
increase production
", according to a note from the municipality.
These decisions make it possible to "
secure production, but logistics are still far from fluid [...] in hospitals and pharmacies
", admits Zhou Zhicheng, head of the Chinese Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.
"
It's a bit of a mess
" because of "
excessive purchases
" and people who "
order twice
", he laments to AFP.
In a tight situation, Zhuhai, a city bordering Macau, now limits the purchase of fever tablets to six per week and on presentation of an identity document.
Several metropolises, including Nanjing and Shenzhen, have taken similar measures.
Near Shanghai, the city of Hangzhou calls on its inhabitants to buy drugs in a “
rational
” way.
“
Don't stockpile blindly, leave the drugs to those who really need them.
»
In Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous territory, there is also a raid on over-the-counter anti-flu drugs, despite a largely stabilized and incomparable health situation with the rest of China.
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