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The Japan News/Yomiuri
The Japan News/Yomiuri
National
Miho Tamura and Miyuki Yoshioka / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers

Chinese buying up cold medicine overseas amid severe drug shortage

Stocks of painkillers are low at a drugstore in Taito Ward, Tokyo, on Saturday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Chinese people are buying huge quantities of cold medicine in countries like Japan and Thailand, spurred by the severe drug shortage in their nation amid the rapid increase in novel coronavirus infections.

This so-called bakugai, which literally means explosive buying, has been taking place over the past week or so, with Chinese people buying medicine for their families and acquaintances back home.

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