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The anti-swine flu drug, Tamiflu, which was available only in the hospitals, will now be available as an over-the-counter drug. The government has approved the sales of this anti-swine flu drug by the chemists from next week.
The Health and Family Welfare Ministry, in its notification issued on Tuesday, had permitted the "restricted sale" of Tamiflu, available as Oselatamivir, and Zanamivir, over the chemists’ shops. These are the only drugs which are currently available for the treatment of H1N1/A viral infection.
"It is expected that within the next five to seven days both the drugs would be available in the retail market through identified chemists against proper medical prescriptions," said an official of the Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
"Taking into account the current spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) in the country, the health ministry has decided that retail sale of tamiflu and Zanamivir should be allowed in the country but in a regulated manner," he said.
Government had banned the sales of Tamilflu over-the-counter and hence, the drug was available only in public health institutions. But there had not been any restriction on the sales of Zanamivir by the chemists.
A 10-tablet strip of Tamiflu will cost about Rs.280.
