BUSINESS

Quake Causes Eye Drug Maker to Stop Shipments Except Refrigerated Meds

January 10, 2024

Nitto Medic, an eye drug specialist headquartered in Toyama, said on January 9 that it is suspending the shipments of all products excluding refrigerated medicines due to the impact of a massive New Year’s Day earthquake in central Japan.

Although the company has a certain level of inventories, the quake crippled its automated warehouse, making it impossible to take out the stored products. Urgent repair work is now underway, and the timeline for re-supplies will be announced once the company has a clear prospect, it said in a letter posted in its healthcare professional website.

Subject to the shipment suspension are 69 products, predominantly eye drops.

Meanwhile, generic and OTC drug manufacturer Kyorin Rimedio also said the same day that it is suspending the shipments of four products (two APIs). A contractor logistics firm confirmed the damage to these products after the temblor, it explained. The damage to the building is not extensive, and at this point, the company sees no problem to the supply of other products, it said.

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