Concerns Over Cold Medicine Shortage Reemerging Amid COVID-19 Resurgence... Pharmacies and Pharmaceutical Companies Facing 'Red Light' Warning

Sore Throat Sprays and Syrup Cold Medicines Sold Out Everywhere
Pharmaceutical Companies Running Production Lines at Full Capacity Amid Cost Burdens

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As the number of new COVID-19 cases surpassed 70,000 and the 'doubling' continues with cases roughly doubling every week, a red alert has been raised again regarding the supply of cold medicine, which is commonly used as an over-the-counter drug. It has already become difficult to find throat sprays or syrup-type cough medicines at many pharmacies.

On the afternoon of the 20th, a visit to about 10 pharmacies in the Jongno-gu and Jung-gu areas of Seoul revealed that 5 of them were out of stock of throat spray formulations mainly used for sore throat symptoms, as well as syrup-type cough medicines. These products were also hard to find in pharmacies during the Omicron variant surge earlier this year.

Although acetaminophen-based antipyretic analgesics, well known as Tylenol, and general cold medicines still have stock, if the COVID-19 resurgence spreads further, it is expected to become even more difficult to obtain cold medicines. A pharmacy official explained, "Some products show as out of stock when we try to place orders, making it difficult to restock. There are also products that have been out of stock for a long time, but even antipyretics and syrups that were normally supplied until recently have partially run out."

Major pharmaceutical companies producing cold medicines are also making every effort to meet supply demands. Having already experienced a situation during the Omicron variant surge where supply could not keep up with demand, they are checking production and consumption volumes to balance supply. However, they find it burdensome to increase production lines further. A pharmaceutical industry official stated, "As was the case during Omicron, due to the temporary increase in demand caused by the COVID-19 resurgence, we cannot stop producing other products just to make cold medicines. We are currently maximizing production within the possible range."

The rise in raw material costs due to inflation is also a burden for pharmaceutical companies. Along with a series of price increases for flagship products this year, cold medicines are no exception. Dong-A Pharmaceutical decided to raise the supply price of Panpyrin Q, well known for the slogan 'Be careful of colds,' by 10%, and Kwangdong Pharmaceutical is also reportedly planning to increase the supply price of Ssanghwatang, frequently used for early-stage colds.

In response to this situation, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has decided to extend the support measures for increased production by cold medicine manufacturers and importers, which were scheduled to end this month, until October 15. Additionally, the monitoring of cold medicine supply trends, which was suspended on the 4th of this month, may be resumed depending on future circumstances. The medical community has expressed the opinion that monitoring is necessary given the seriousness of the resurgence.