An online platform where citizens can ask for necessary COVID-19 medicine from neighbors for free and share the surplus was unveiled through a WeChat mini program.

As people’s demand for medical treatment and medicine increases, the Chinese government has advocated citizens to buy drugs in a rational and appropriate way.

Via the WeChat platform, citizens can quickly determine the demand for or access information regarding medicines. Relevant content is sorted according to the release time or distance, which greatly improves the efficiency of mutual assistance.

Many citizens with surplus medicine have actively reached out on the platform.

"Recovered, I have excess ibuprofen. Anyone in need can take it," a netizen said.

"I have some extra medicine and I can send them to you by my battery cart if you live within five kilometers around Beijing Normal University," another said.

The "COVID-19 prevention & protection medicine public mutual assistance platform" was developed by Tencent. The platform only supports people providing non-prescription drugs recommended by National Health Commission.