The Japanese health ministry has set up a help desk for pharmacies, hospitals and clinics that are facing shortages of fever drugs and painkillers amid rising COVID cases.

Supply of such drugs have been tight since last year, when several generic drug makers were ordered to suspend their operations due to manufacturing malpractice.

A recent surge in coronavirus cases and a subsequent rise in demand for analgesics, antipyretics, cough and other medicines have further strained the supply.

The help desk can take requests for drugs from hospitals and pharmacies that deal with COVID patients.
When such a request is made, officials will ask wholesalers that have enough stock of requested drugs to provide them.

Furthermore, the ministry has asked drug wholesalers to serve small pharmacies first. Officials say they will take necessary measures to ensure a smooth drug supply.

The Japan Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association says it will do all it can to fill customers' requests.