Drug to Treat Swine Flu

New Delhi, 28th August 2009: Article by Hari Babu

The government today said it will allow the retail sale of ''oseltamivir'', the only medicine available to treat the swine flu virus ''H1N1''. Once a notification is issued, six companies are likely to get government nod to sell the drugs through pharmacy stores.

"The notification regarding the sale of oseltamivir through retail pharmacies is expected to come in the next 10-12 days," Drug Controller General of India Surinder Singh told reporters on the sidelines of CII Life Lines Conclave. Till now, six companies Ranbaxy, Cipla, Metco, Hetero, Strides and Roche have been granted licence for the manufacture and distribution of the drugs.

Oseltamivir is a generic version of Roche''s Tamiflu and the drug will be sold in the retail market under Schedule-X norms that cover the sale of drugs prepared using narcotics substances. He also said till now six companies have applied for producing and developing swine flu vaccine in the country.

Hope every one gets the right medicine and get cured for Swine Flu