A pharmacy staffer arranges antigen test kits on March 22 in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong. Photo:VCG

Pharmacies in multiple Chinese cities have seen an increase in consumers purchasing antiviral medicine, while the overall supply of medication remains sufficient, according to Chinese media reports. 

Two pharmacies in Beijing noted that people can purchase antiviral medicine based on their needs, while personal identification information along with a 48-hour green health code are required for purchase. 

An employee from one pharmacy in Beijing told the Global Times on Thursday that she has seen more consumers buy medicine recently, noting that overall supply remains stable.

The Global Times learned from two pharmacies in Guangzhou city, South China’s Guangdong Province on Thursday that consumers can easily access antiviral and cold-relief medicine, noting that personal identification information, a negative nuclei acid test result within 48 hours and a green health code are needed to make purchases. 

Employees from both pharmacies in Guangzhou told the Global Times that the supply of medicine remain sufficient. 

Some pharmacies in Guangzhou also put together a dedicated list for consumers to take into consideration, including healthcare products for improving personal immune protection, disinfection supplies along with antivirus medicine, adding that antiviral medicine is currently the best seller, Time News reported. 

Other cities in Guangdong including Zhongshan also noted that the local supply of medication such as cold and antiviral medicine remains adequate, according to local news outlet ZSBTV.com.  

Pharmaceutical companies including Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech will ramp up production of antigen tests to meet growing market demand, cls.cn reported on Thursday. 

The report from Time News noted that pharmacies in some Chinese cities such as Southwest China’s Chongqing city have set up “health bundles” for the convenience of consumers.  

The Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission announced optimized anti-pandemic measures on Wednesday, including delineating high-risk areas more accurately, carrying out epidemiological investigations more precisely and nucleic acid tests scientifically, preparing for quarantine management of close contacts of cases, while accelerating vaccinations.  

Some districts in Guangzhou city issued notices on Wednesday effectively lifting transportation restrictions and adjusting control measures. For instance, Guangzhou’s Haizhu district will allow quantified close contacts to quarantine at home. 

Beijing city announced that groups who remain at home, including seniors, remote workers and students, and infants, don’t have to participate in community nucleic acid screening if they are not heading outside, a new health policy which will came into effect on Wednesday, Xinhua News Agency reported. 

Global Times