SINGAPORE — Some over-the-counter medicines to treat fever, cough and cold are currently out of stock due to recent bulk purchases by Chinese nationals based in Singapore for their relatives in China.
The Ministry of Health was cited by Straits Times as saying that it is aware that retailers and retail pharmacies “have seen increased demand for over-the-counter medicines”, adding that it is monitoring the situation closely.
It also stated that it may take a longer time to restock some brands, but added that the public should also consider an alternative brand.
“We also advise the public to purchase medicines, particularly paediatric medication, in quantities that are sufficient only for their own consumption, in order to avoid wastage,” the ministry added.
MOH also noted that the retailers carry a diverse range of brands for each type of medicine and this includes generic medicines, “which are just as effective as branded medicines”.
According to Lianhe Zaobao last Friday (16 Dec), Chinese nationals studying or working in Singapore were buying medicines to send back to China due to the spike in Covid-19 cases after the country ended its zero-covid policy and city-wide isolations.
A reporter from Lianhe Zaobao reported witnessing a long queue of people trying to send medicine via courier services in Chinatown.
The paper also noted that the parcel provided by the courier service can only deliver eight boxes of non-prescription drugs.
A courier service operator told the paper that antigen test kits and prescription drugs cannot be sent via courier. The delivery time would depend on various factors, such as the covid situation and customs inspection which would take about two to four weeks or more.
The customers in the queue were preparing to send medicine back to China, with most sending over ten boxes. Medicines include Panadol Cough & Cold, Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang , cough syrup, and Vitamin C tablets.
The Lianhe Zaobao reporter interviewed a 32-year-old student, Zhang Rongrong who successfully mailed back three parcels of medicine to her parents in Beijing. It was said that they contained 18 boxes of Panadol, two bottles of cough syrup and cost $32 for the courier fees.
Zhang said, “Panadol cannot be bought within the country, even if it would take a month to mail, it can be used after the new year.”
While Zhang’s family and friends have not been tested positive, she is just sending medicine back for peace of mind.
Chinese netizens located in Singapore have been sharing their tips on Chinese social media about which courier services to use, as not all companies provide courier services for medicines.
A video posted on Tik Tok two days ago(20 December), shows a long queue formed in front of a courier services counter at People Park Complex.
@sg6888 连续多天，在新加坡的中国人买💊寄回国。哪怕运费再贵，也希望家人平安健康。#疫情 #防疫 #新冠肺炎 #海外生活 #药品 #新加坡 #新加坡牛车水 #中国
The post wrote: “For several consevutive days, China Nationals in Singapore have been buying drugs and sending them back to China. They want their family to stay safe and healthy, no matter how costly the shipping fee might be.”
The narration states that Oversea Chinese are very united and caring, “As some drugs not available in home country, hence people here send drugs back (to China). The queue is too long, very terrible.”
The caption in the video continues to explain that their country is under the first wave of COVID pandemic resurgence and many peoples have been infected by COVID, and hope everyone to stay safe.
