Deputy Health Minister Wang Pi-sheng (王必勝) urges citizens against mass buying Panadol and sending it abroad amidst shortage. That's after COVID-19 cases continue to increase domestically and in China. Panadol is a medication for treating fever and mild to moderate pain.
A recent government investigation found the Panadol shortage in Taiwan to be due to the large purchase numbers by citizens. The manufacturer of Panadol has also reported shortages in their global supply chain.
Wang reminds citizens that there are other drugs on the market which include the same key ingredient - "acetaminophen" - as Panadol. He urged people to not panic buy in large quantities and send them abroad.
Wang says he will evaluate whether other measures need to be taken such as restricting the number of purchases.
