Govt urged to help drugmakers boost painkiller supply

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong on Thursday advised the government to help local firms boost production of the painkiller paracetamol, which has been snapped up by the public in light of the worsening coronavirus situation.

The society’s president, William Chui, said local drugmakers have complained about a shortage of raw materials for the production of paracetamol.

He said authorities could help facilitate the import of the materials needed.

“Paracetamol is not so difficult to manufacture because it’s a very old drug. It’s very safe for relieving fever, pain and headache,” Chui said.

“Of course we have the brand product called Panadol, but the supply of Panadol is very limited at the moment. So we have to rely on the local manufacturers to make more paracetamol.”

Chui said another drug, ibuprofen, can also relieve fever and inflammation.

He said there has been a seven-fold increase in the usage of medication such as painkillers and cough syrup at public hospitals, which are treating thousands of Covid patients.

He added that people can also relieve symptoms of Covid without taking medicine, such as having a warm bath to bring their body temperature down and drinking honey water to ease a sore throat.