China has seen a surge in the production of paracetamol and ibuprofen over the past month. It follows recommendations by medical experts that the pain-relief drugs be used as the first treatment for COVID-19 amid a rise in cases nationwide.

Paracetamol has been used to treat fever and pain for more than 60 years. In Shenyang, one drug company is working around the clock to manufacture the tablets.

Wang Weilin, head of production from Northeast Pharmaceutical Group, told CGTN: "The most difficult time was mid-December when nearly two-thirds of our workers called in sick. At the same time there was a sudden increase in demand for paracetamol. We've mobilized workers from other production plants to help cope with the shortage of staff, and top-down efforts were made to guarantee supply of the medication."

The paracetamol produced by the company sells for just 0.1 yuan ($0.014) per tablet. The low price has seen the company go viral online. "Faced with an acute shortage of everyday medicines​ like paracetamol, our company chose to prioritize corporate social responsibility over short term profits. Although paracetamol accounts for only a tiny portion of our product range, we made a concerted effort to manufacture the drug," Zhou Kai, the general manager of Northeast Pharmaceutical Group, told CGTN.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology,​ production of ibuprofen and paracetamol, two drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19, has increased considerably nationwide. Daily production capacity has surpassed 200 million tablets, more than four times the amount produced at the beginning of last month.

"We've dispatched specialists to work with raw material suppliers in order to ensure the smooth supply of crucial materials. And thanks to help from the central government in coordinating with the suppliers, our paracetamol output can now match demand for the coming three months nationwide," Zhou added.