Swiss start rationing drugs to prevent panic buying due to coronavirus

Switzerland's government has launched the rationing of some common painkiller and anti-fever drugs to prevent panic buying caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The government said the restriction, which starts immediately and will run for the next six months, was not introduced due to a shortage of drugs.

"It is a message to people not to buy too much, and is designed to regulate the situation," a government spokesman said. "There is no reason to panic buy." Under the restriction, each person will be allowed to buy only one package per day of the drugs, which include paracetamol and ibuprofen.