100 chemists in Gujarat to dispense H1N1 antidote

The state food and drug supply department has brought some relief for those suffering from swine flu. According to HG Koshia, commissioner of the Food and Drug Control Administration, Gujarat (licensing authority), Oseltamivir capsules, an anti-flu drug to combat the swine flu virus, will be available at local chemists from now on.

The FDCA has allowed 100 chemists in the state to sell the 75 mg capsules to patients with prescriptions from registered doctors. The names and addresses of these approved chemists are available on the website of the Gujarat state health department, gujhealth.gov.in.

The patients or their relatives who go to but the drug need to submit two copies of the prescription to the chemists and keep one with them. The medicine was earlier available only at government hospitals. But, to halt the increasing incidence of swine flu in the state, the chemists have been allowed to stock the anti-flu drugs prescribed by private hospitals.

Oseltamivir capsules are currently manufactured under three names: Tamiveer by Hitro Drug Ltd of Sonal, HP; Netflu 75 by Netco Pharma Ltd, Hyderabad; and Anti Flu by Sonal Ltd. These capsules cost Rs449, Rs480 and Rs475, respectively, for a pack of 10.

For patients who do not respond to these capsules, a second line of treatment can be provided by Viranza 5 mg produced by Sonal Ltd. This costs Rs800 for a pack of 20 capsules. For those who cannot take these capsules, Hitro Drug Ltd has produced Tamivir syrup 75 ml, costing Rs520 per bottle.