Chinese medicine shops have recently started to double their prices and customers have started to cut back on their purchases as they cannot afford to do so.
There are several reasons for the price hike of Chinese medicines, namely the devaluation of the Malaysian currency, the anti-epidemic measures implemented in China, the increase in transportation costs and the slow transportation process. Shortages of Chinese medicines are also one of the reasons for the price increase.
It is understood that the Chinese medicines that have seen a big price increase include Radix Codonopsis, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix et Rhizoma and Radix Chrysanthemum. Among them, the price of Radix Rehmanniae has increased by more than 200%. Honeysuckle drops have also gone up from about RM30 for 500ml before to about RM80 today, and honeysuckle powder has gone up from about RM40 to RM150 for 100g.
Demand for Chinese herbal medicines is also increasing as the government relaxes epidemic prevention measures and consumers start to visit herbal shops to buy various herbal medicines to relieve various discomforts.
