He said some medicines, especially those for fever, cough and flu, had been in short supply because of unexpected demand.

“If you go to private clinics, they have paracetamol with the ministry of health stamp (on them). We do sell the medicine from the buffer stock to them. There is paracetamol, there will be cough syrup,” he told reporters here.

Khairy said there had been a significant increase in flu cases, following the lifting of the Covid-19 lockdowns and the reopening of schools.

More people were being exposed to the illness, especially children, whose immunity level may be relatively low after two years of being confined at home,” he said.

A total of 213 clusters were reported in schools, 16 in kindergartens and 10 in training institutions or colleges in the week of July 17-23.