Europe, the US and India have all flagged possible drug shortages following China's coronavirus outbreak.

China produces around 80 per cent of the raw materials used in India's medicines, but with the country currently in the grip of an epidemic, production has slowed and stockpiles are running low.

As a result, prices of common drugs in India have skyrocketed due to disruptions causes by the outbreak. The price of paracetamol has jumped up by 40 per cent and common antibiotics by 70 per cent.

This morning Prime Minister Boris Johnson extended his sympathies to the President of China and those citizens affected by the outbreak of coronavirus.