Beijing Battles Medicine Shortages as Covid Restrictions Eased

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Beijing is currently battling a medicine shortage following the easing of anti-epidemic restrictions and a rise in Covid cases, according to the Global Times.

The report, released on Monday, says the capital's healthcare system is facing mounting pressure as the city's hospitals reported 19,000 patients with flu-like symptoms last week, 6.2 times higher than the previous week. Pharmacy shelves in the capital are empty of medicine used to treat fever or the common cold, including ibuprofen, and delivery apps like Meituan and Eleme can only guarantee 2-4 day delivery for most medicines.

An employee at a pharmacy in Tongzhou told us they had sold out of fever reducers on Monday. “If you're looking for meds like fever reducers, then we don't have any. There have been a lot of customers who have come to buy meds in the past few weeks and we are scrambling to replenish our shelves but it might take at least a week,” the employee said.

We reached out to several Beijing residents to seek advice on how to get some medicines, and many said that it is best to reach out to your friends and have them Shansong some common medicines to you. “Most people do have regular medical supplies that should be sufficient to treat Covid. I still have some pills leftover from when I had a fever in spring. I think it is better to ask a friend to ship some pills to you as most places have already run out of stock of them,” one resident told us.

Another way to get medical supplies is from fever clinics, but this should be regarded as a last resort as in most situations you'll probably have to wait in line for more than one hour in near-freezing temperatures. “I had to wait in line for a little more than an hour for some Tylenol, which is the only drug still available at the fever clinic,” said one Beijing resident who tried this method.

Also, you might want to reach out to people within your community or send a message in Beijing or community-related group chats to see if anyone might have some meds available that they are willing to sell. 

Yesterday, Beijing's CDC released a list of alternatives to popular drugs like ibuprofen. Just remember when placing orders for these drugs online, it might take anywhere between two to four days for them to be delivered to your hands, as many pharmacies are still awaiting refills.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine

银翘解毒丸yín qiào jiědú wán

This medicine is commonly used to relieve symptoms from respiratory infections, fever, sore throat and coughing.

正柴胡饮合剂 zhèng chái hú yǐn hé jì

It relieves symptoms from acute respiratory infections, cold, fever, headaches and sneezing.

蓝岑口服液lán cén kǒufú yè

This can come in handy for relieving pain caused by sore throat. 

百蕊颗粒 bǎi ruǐ kēlì

This one can be used to relieve symptoms like inflammation, wet coughs, cold, fever and, in some cases, pneumonia.

Western Medicines

双氯芬酸钠缓释片shuānglǜfēnsuān nà huǎn shì piàn

Diclofenac Sodium Sustained Release Tablets

An alternative to ibuprofen that, while mainly used for inflamation and arthritis pain relief, can be used for relieving fever-related aches and pains.

复方氨酚烷胺胶囊fùfāng ān fēn wán àn jiāonáng

Compound Paracetamol and Amantadine Hydrochloride Capsules

Can be used to relieve symptoms such as fever and runny nose.

福多司坦片fú duō sī tǎn piàn

Fudosteine Tablets

Can be used to relieve symptoms such as coughing associated with respiratory illness.

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Images: Irene Li

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