South Korea bans stockpiling of medical needles, syringes to prevent supply disruptions

South Korea will ban stockpiling ​medical syringes and ‌needles to prevent supply disruptions at hospitals starting ​on Tuesday, the ​finance ministry said in ⁠a statement.

The authorities ​had a meeting last ​week with makers of syringes and needles to ​check their current ​inventory and discuss ways to ‌increase ⁠production amid supply concerns due to the Iran war, according ​to the ​industry ⁠ministry.

Disruptions to oil and petrochemical ​flows have boosted ​plastic ⁠prices used in medical supplies and packaging, ⁠prompting ​worries about ​stocks and hoarding.

Source: Reuters