HIGHER demand for Chinese traditional medicines for the treatment of Covid-19 is expected to push up the prices of the herb-based items after the Lunar New Year, Chinese physicians said.

Most of the Chinese herbal medicines sold in Malaysia are imported from China.

Federation of Chinese Physicians and Acupuncturists Associations Malaysia president Dr Ng Po Kok told The Malaysian Insight that the depreciated ringgit has made imports more expensive.

He denied supply problems are the cause of the price increases.

He said the supply chain has been restored following China’s lifting of Covid-19 restrictions on January 8.

Prices of the traditional medicines were last increased in September.

Ng said a surge in coronavirus infections in China has fuelled demand for the herbs.

“I believe many people there are treating Covid-19 like it is the common flu,” he said.

Ng said many people in China were supplementing the Western drugs they were prescribed for infection with traditional medicines.

Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers Associations Malaysia president Boon Yip Heng said Chinese pharmaceutical companies have stepped up production to meet the demand for Covid-19 treatments.

He said prices are now stable and not expected to rise.

Chinese Drug Dealers Association Federal Territory and Selangor president Loh Kim Fong said there is a shortage of medicines for lung infections and coronary diseases.

“However, as far as I know, the Chinese pharmaceutical companies have raised production to solve the problem.”

China scrapped its “zero-Covid” policy effective January 8, after three years of strict controls.

The outbreaks that followed the lifting of curbs triggered a rush for cold and fever medication in the country.

Some pharmacies in Malaysia are facing drug shortages and restocking problems. – January 20, 2023.