Sales of some medicines are in short supply and many places are cracking down on drug price gouging, reminding not to blindly hoard medicines

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　　Chinanews.com, Beijing, December 7th (Zuo Yukun Zuo Yuqing, Zhongxin Finance and Economics) Lianhua Qingwen has become a popular drug during the epidemic because of its effect of clearing away the plague and detoxifying, clearing the lungs and expeling heat.

Recently, with the adjustment of epidemic prevention measures in many places, some medicines such as Lianhua Qingwen have been out of stock and their prices have increased in some areas.

　　What is the situation?

How should citizens rationally prepare medicines?

Data map: Lianhua Qingwen Capsules.

Photo by Wei Liu

There is a shortage

　　"Lianhua Qingwen has been out of stock for a long time, probably since mid-November. Later, a batch of goods arrived around November 20, and the quantity was not large, and it was sold out in half a day. It belongs to the state of ordering." A staff member of a pharmacy in Beijing told Zhongxin Finance and Economics.

　　Ms. Yang, a Beijing citizen, bought Lianhua Qingwen around November 25.

"I passed by the pharmacy that day and went in to ask about it. They told me that I had to do an antigen test in the store before I bought it, and I could buy it normally. But there was no stock at the time, so I ordered 5 boxes. After waiting for about two days, the pharmacy called and informed of the arrival. .But then I went to the store to ask, and it was out of stock.”

　　Lianhua Qingwen is also out of stock in many third- and fourth-tier cities.

"As early as last month, many people bought Lianhua Qingwen and hoarded medicines, which caused a shortage in pharmacies." A medical representative in a fourth-tier city told Zhongxin Finance that the main reason for the out-of-stock at present is that consumers are rushing to buy And some pharmacies hoard goods, resulting in less supply in the market.

　　However, she believes that the current supply of Lianhua Qingwen from enterprises is stable, and consumers do not need to rush to stockpile the medicine.

"We expect to be able to replenish the stock in mid-December."

　　According to data from JD.com Health, the drugs with significant growth in online sales mainly include cold medicines, fever-reducing, cough-relieving, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs.

As of December 5, the turnover of the above-mentioned drugs in the past 7 days has increased by 18 times compared with October, and the search volume of Lianhua Qingwen has increased by 2000 times year-on-year.

　　Simultaneously with the tight sales, there is also an increase in prices.

　　Previously, the media reported that the price of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules in drugstores has risen sharply. The price of 10 boxes of 0.35g*48 capsules/box of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules is 1,020 yuan, and the price of a single box is 102 yuan, which is 240% higher than usual. .

　　On December 6, Sinonews Finance and Economics checked the major e-commerce platforms and found that the sales of Lianhua Qingwen by merchants on the platforms were very hot, and they were often products that had just been viewed, and were out of stock when they clicked to look back.

At the same time, there are many situations where it is sold in combination with other drugs.

The price increase and out-of-stock situation of some Lianhua Qingwen on the e-commerce platform.

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　　For the price increase, the pharmacy staff explained that it was the increase of purchase price and logistics cost.

　　Ms. Zhu, a citizen of Guangzhou, bought Lianhua Qingwen Capsules with a size of 0.35g*48 capsules/box through a pharmacy a few days ago at a unit price of 58 yuan.

But she looked through her previous online purchase records and found that the price of the same drug was 21.8 yuan per box in early November this year.

　　Ms. Zhu called the pharmacy, and the clerk replied that Lianhua Qingwen was out of stock recently, and the purchase price had risen from the previous dozen or twenty yuan to fifty yuan.

The clerk also felt that the price was too high, but there was nothing he could do.

　　The above-mentioned staff of a pharmacy in Beijing also said that the purchase price of Lianhua Qingwen is indeed very expensive recently. Coupled with the impact of the backlog of express shipments in some express outlets, the cost of the pharmacy has also risen to more than 30 yuan.

Sales of similar drugs are also in short supply

　　During the visit, China New Finance and Economics found that in addition to Lianhua Qingwen, there are also many similar drugs for colds, fevers, coughs, and anti-inflammatory drugs that have become popular choices for citizens to buy medicines.

Some pharmacy sales staff said that only some cold medicines are currently on sale, and these cold medicines also have some antipyretic effects.

　　"Fever-reducing medicines are really difficult to buy, and I can't find any substitutes like ibuprofen." Xiao Cen (pseudonym), who lives in Beijing, told Zhongxin Finance and Economics. .

"Some takeaways can be ordered, but the merchants will call to say they are out of stock."

　　In the end, under the suggestion of the pharmacy, Xiao Cen chose to buy children's antipyretics and increase the dosage.

　　"Recently, cold and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and Pudilan anti-inflammatory tablets are selling very well, and there are also cases where they are out of stock in a short period of time." The staff of a pharmacy in Beijing mentioned above, especially since December 3, After the real-name registration information is no longer required to purchase "four types of drugs" in Beijing, many citizens come to the store to buy related drugs.

　　"We may sell a few boxes or a dozen boxes of these medicines a day on weekdays, but we can sell 30-40 boxes or more a day recently. However, we have also increased the stocking volume, which is about three or four times that of normal days." The pharmacy staff said.

Many N95 masks are out of stock on the e-commerce platform.

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　　In addition to medicines, anti-epidemic materials such as N95 and KN95 masks and antigen detection reagents have also experienced sales growth or even out of stock to a certain extent.

Zhongxin Finance noticed that the N95 and KN95 masks of many high-selling merchants on the e-commerce platform showed that they were out of stock or restricted.

The anchor of a medical brand said in the live broadcast room that there are only KN95 masks left in the store, and all N95 masks have been sold out.

　　"Recently, there are a lot of general medical surgical masks, but N95 masks are really selling fast. A batch of them arrived a few days ago and they were sold out in less than two hours. As long as customers come, they will pick up some; the arrival time of the antigen is also uncertain, and At present, group purchases are mainly supported, and the quantity that can be obtained in the store is not much each time." A staff member of a pharmacy in Beijing said.

The government takes action, high-priced sales can be reported

　　Regarding the news of the price increase of Lianhua Qingwen, Yiling Pharmaceutical stated on the interactive platform that the company's supply price of Lianhua Qingwen has remained stable recently.

If consumers find that individual terminals have experienced price increases, please report to the relevant local departments in a timely manner.

At present, the company is taking various measures to expand production and fully guarantee market supply.

　　According to a sales list issued by a medical representative in a certain place to Zhongxin Finance and Economics, the normal price of a box of 18 Lianhua Qingwen capsules in the local area is 16.9-18 yuan, and the normal price of 10 bags of Lianhua Qingwen granules is 24.5 yuan.

Data map: Lianhua Qingwen Capsules.

Photo by Chen Congyao

　　In fact, many local governments have issued relevant policies regarding the phenomenon of Lianhua Qingwen being sold at high prices in pharmacies.

　　For example, Liaoning Province issued a notice in 2020 that four drugs, including Lianhua Qingwen Capsules (granules), were included in the scope of government temporary price intervention supervision.

Based on the sales price before January 24, 2020, if the current sales price has increased by more than 15% but has not reached 30%, if the relevant law enforcement department refuses to make corrections, or if the current sales price has increased by more than 30%, it shall not be implemented. Government price intervention measures are handled according to law.

　　"

," said the aforementioned pharmaceutical representative.

　　Recently, local regulatory authorities have also taken action to maintain the market price order of Lianhua Qingwen and other commodities during the epidemic prevention and control period.

　　On the 6th, the Beijing Market Supervision Bureau issued a warning letter,

.

　　The day before, the Hangzhou Municipal Market Supervision and Administration Bureau also issued the "Reminder and Caution on the Price Behavior of Medical Drugs and Supplies", clearly stating that operators of medical supplies must not take advantage of the epidemic prevention and control to substantially increase the sales prices of medical drugs and supplies. Strictly control the price difference between purchase and sale within a reasonable range, and do not hoard, drive up prices, make huge profits, and spread rumors about price increases.

Citizens buy medicines in pharmacies Photo by Yang Zhiheng

The drug regulatory department reminds rational on-demand drug purchase

　　During this period of time, the "New Crown Medicine Sequence" map and the "New Crown Drug Stockpile List" were spread on social platforms. Many netizens exchanged information on buying medicines in WeChat groups and circles of friends, and even followed suit.

　　A few days ago, the Guangdong Provincial Food and Drug Administration issued a document to remind: It is unnecessary to blindly "stock up medicines"!

Drugs have a shelf life, and there are certain requirements for storage. Improper storage is easy to deteriorate, and long-term storage of too many drugs is likely to cause waste.

Everyone needs to arrange their own small medicine box in a planned way according to the actual situation, and seek medical treatment in time if you have symptoms of discomfort.

　　Huang Wenqing, president of the Guangdong Provincial Pharmacists Association, told the media that most cold medicines contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If you take too much of these medicines, they will damage your liver and kidneys. If you have no symptoms, take these medicines by yourself. , will not play a preventive role.

　　In response to the tense supply of some drugs in the market, the Beijing Food and Drug Administration stated on the 6th that it will cooperate with relevant departments to coordinate drug production and distribution companies, and take multiple measures to ensure market supply and meet consumer demand.

At the same time, it also reminds the general public that medicines are special commodities, please purchase them rationally and according to your needs, and do not stock up blindly.

　　The reporter learned from the Beijing Food and Drug Administration that at present, Beijing has required all pharmaceutical chain companies to increase their distribution efforts to ensure that terminal pharmacies replenish at least once a day.

All e-commerce platforms have adopted the reservation model, and consumer demand can be met in the near future.

　　According to reports, since December 5, Beijing has put on the market a total of about 400,000 boxes of "Lianhua Qingwen" granules and capsules every day, giving priority to drugstores with dense crowds and strong sales capabilities in residential communities and supermarkets. and community health service centers, and will gradually expand to all pharmacies.

On December 6, Beijing also released 200,000 boxes of "Jinhua Qinggan" granules at one time, giving priority to supplying to community hospitals. Due to the limited production capacity of production companies, the number of daily releases will remain at 20,000 to 30,000 boxes in the near future.

"The market launch of the two drugs 'Lianhua Qingwen' and 'Jinhua Qinggan' is 3 to 4 times higher than before."

　　The Guangdong Provincial Food and Drug Administration also stated that the supply of cold medicines in Guangdong Province is sufficient. Recently, wholesale companies in the province have distributed 3.6 million units of cold medicines to 55,000 retail pharmacies in the province, exceeding the highest demand in recent days.

However, this short-term explosive growth momentum is unsustainable. The current 180% increase in sales is mainly due to the purchase of spare parts, not real demand.

Medicines have expiration dates, and citizens should purchase medicines on demand in a scientific and reasonable manner.

(Finish)