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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...old-openly-in-Chennai/articleshow/4660184.cms
Tamiflu being sold openly in city
16 Jun 2009, 0349 hrs IST, Pushpa Narayan, TNN
CHENNAI: The sale of Tamiflu, the drug of choice to treat the H1N1 influenza, is banned in the open market in order to prevent hoarding and misuse leading to the virus developing resistance to the drug. Well, that?s officially. Like many other scheduled drugs, Tamiflu is available across the counter at drug stores in Chennai.
When TOI approached a leading store in Nungambakkam on Monday, a box of 10 Tamiflu capsules was offered for Rs 3,000. The drug is available free of cost at all government hospitals to flu patients. But the government banned its sale to ensure adequate stocks in case of an outbreak. It is also aimed at checking indiscriminate use, which could lead to the virus developing resistance to the drug.
While director of public health Dr S Elango said he had issued circulars making it mandatory for doctors to notify the disease, director of drugs control Dr M Baskaran said he had told pharmacies not to sell the drug. ?If they are being sold, it is a very dangerous trend. We will not hesitate to initiate action against them, which would include suspension of their licence. Taking the pill renders the drug useless in case a person gets affected by the virus. It could prove fatal,? Baskaran said.
Tamiflu being sold openly in city
16 Jun 2009, 0349 hrs IST, Pushpa Narayan, TNN
CHENNAI: The sale of Tamiflu, the drug of choice to treat the H1N1 influenza, is banned in the open market in order to prevent hoarding and misuse leading to the virus developing resistance to the drug. Well, that?s officially. Like many other scheduled drugs, Tamiflu is available across the counter at drug stores in Chennai.
When TOI approached a leading store in Nungambakkam on Monday, a box of 10 Tamiflu capsules was offered for Rs 3,000. The drug is available free of cost at all government hospitals to flu patients. But the government banned its sale to ensure adequate stocks in case of an outbreak. It is also aimed at checking indiscriminate use, which could lead to the virus developing resistance to the drug.
While director of public health Dr S Elango said he had issued circulars making it mandatory for doctors to notify the disease, director of drugs control Dr M Baskaran said he had told pharmacies not to sell the drug. ?If they are being sold, it is a very dangerous trend. We will not hesitate to initiate action against them, which would include suspension of their licence. Taking the pill renders the drug useless in case a person gets affected by the virus. It could prove fatal,? Baskaran said.
