Centre allows regulated sell of swine flu medicine India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Taking into account the current spread of the swine flu in the country, Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has decided to allow retail sale of Oseltamivir Phosphate and Zanamivir in a regulated manner. The Oseltamivir Phosphate and Zanamivir are only available drugs that can be used for the treatment of swine flu. The ministry issued an order in this regard under Section 26 E of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940. Earlier, the retail sale of Oseltamivir phosphate was banned by the Central Government and its distribution was permissible only through Public Health Institutions and on the other hand, there was no restriction on the retail sale of Zanamivir. After the issue of the notification, the chemists who have licence to sell, stock or distribute drugs specified under Schedule X to the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945 would be authorized to sell the above named drugs against proper medical prescriptions. The ministry has asked the pharmaceutical companies manufacturing these drugs to be prepared to roll out the drugs into the retail market after the issue of the notification. It is expected that within the next five to seven days both the drugs would be available in the retail market.

Centre allows regulated sale of swine flu medicine