Gargling solution comment triggers panic buying in Japan

TOKYO: Japan drugstores were stripped bare of gargling solution yesterday, a day after the governor of the western prefecture of Osaka suggested it could help fight coronavirus, triggering panic buying reminiscent of the early days of mask shortages.

Hundreds of thousands of people posted pictures of emptied shelves on Twitter, accompanied by handwritten “Out of Stock” notices, as they canvassed suggestions on how to acquire the coveted antiseptic.

“Anyone else having trouble buying gargling medicine? I’m coming to four misses now,” wrote one user, @shotaro_1117, who posted images of four cleaned-out shelves.

On Tuesday, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said a study showed a smaller viral load in the saliva of 41 patients with mild symptoms after regular gargling with a medicine infused with povidone-iodine solution than in those who had not.

“Perhaps we can even overcome the coronavirus with gargling medicine,” he said at a news conference, speaking of the study on those convalescing in regional hotels which was released by an Osaka hospital.

As governments worldwide have struggled to rein in the virus, some in authority have seized on any treatment seeming to offer a glimmer of hope.

Japan’s top government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, said he was aware of the governor’s comments.

“The government will closely watch developments of the research,” Suga told reporters.

Some experts were sceptical, however. – Reuters