TOKYO, Dec 19 (News On Japan) - Influenza cases in Japan have surged since early December, with a sharp increase in patient reports per medical institution. At a Towa Pharmaceutical factory in Yamagata, demand has exceeded supply despite last year’s facility expansion.
The factory produces 760 types of drugs, 245 of which are under limited supply due to high demand. Even with equipment capable of manufacturing 10 billion tablets annually, production adjustments take two to three months. Medications for colds and related illnesses are among the restricted items.
Schools across Japan are grappling with the rapid spread of influenza, particularly the severe and highly contagious type A strain. This has led to a spike in class closures, with numbers quadrupling in just two days to over 4,124 classes. The virus has mainly affected school-aged children and teenagers, whose group activities facilitate transmission. Educational institutions have reported sudden and unexpected outbreaks within single grades.
Experts note that influenza typically spreads explosively in mid-December due to sharp drops in temperature and humidity. The virus’s high transmission rate means brief exposure in shared spaces is sufficient for infection. With the year-end and New Year holidays approaching, infections are expected to rise further.
Other infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and slapped cheek syndrome, are also circulating, causing overlapping demand for similar medications. Parents have expressed concern over drug shortages, as pharmacies struggle to meet demand. Essential medications like the cough suppressant Mezicon are critically low, with pharmacists reporting insufficient stock to fulfill prescriptions.
Pharmacists and health professionals urge the public to maintain basic infection control measures and consider keeping over-the-counter medications, such as cough suppressants and fever reducers, on hand as a precaution against shortages.
Source: ANN
