The Japanese Health Ministry is urging medical facilities across the country to decrease cough medication prescriptions due to limited supply amid a growing number of flu cases, the NHK broadcaster reported on Saturday. 

The broadcaster reported that Japan has been faced with an increase in flu infections for five consecutive weeks, despite the ongoing decrease in new COVID-19 cases, explaining that some regions in the country had encountered issues with the delivery of required medicines. 

Regarding this matter, the Japanese Health Ministry issued a recommendation to local administrations and medical institutions to efficiently use the remaining supply and reduce the period of treatment with their use to an acceptable minimum. 

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On another note, earlier this year, a survey of groups representing pharmacies in 29 European countries, including EU members as well as Turkey, Kosovo, Norway, and North Macedonia, showed that over a quarter of countries reported a scarcity of more than 600 pharmaceuticals, while 20% reported a shortage of 200-300 drugs. 

Three-quarters of the countries indicated this winter's shortages were worse than a year earlier. According to groups in four nations, shortages have been the cause of several deaths. 

It's a picture supported by regulatory data. According to Belgian officials, approximately 300 drugs are in limited supply. In Germany, that number is 408, while in Austria, more than 600 drugs are unavailable in pharmacies. 

Italy's list is much longer, containing nearly 3,000 medications, many of which are different versions of the same medicine.