The Beijing Drug Administration (BDA) required on Monday all the pharmacies and chain shops to set up a mechanism to provide adequate drug supplies in the event of another outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

A schedule issued by the BDA on Monday stipulates that all drugstores in the municipality are requested to reserve appropriate amounts of medicine and medical equipment needed for SARS treatment in cast the disease returns.

BDA deputy director Zhang Wei said the city would adopt a mechanism that prescribed three early warning levels against SARS and all the drug sellers must operate in line with that.

In case of the highest level, sales of some drugs that can allay a fever or ease pains will be based on prescriptions from doctors. Pharmacy staff were required to wear exposure suits and respirators and consumers must receive body temperature tests in that case, said Zhang.

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2003)