With no let up in the swine flu cases and death across the country, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Tuesday asked the chemists to stock Tamiflu drug, used for the treatment of the contagious disease, but not sell it without prescription. This was decided at the high-level meeting chaired by Union Health Minister JP Nadda with his senior officials to review the situation and preparedness of the States to tackle the disease.
According to the latest Government data, swine flu toll has reached to 624 till February 16 this year. The number of people affected by the flu is 9,311 this year so far, much more than past few years.At the meeting Nadda has asked the officials to ensure that people are not panicked and the situation is monitored regularly.
This year’s swine flu toll could surpass that of 2013, which saw 699 deaths. While 218 people died of swine flu last year, the diseases claimed 405 lives in 2012. To ensure there is no shortage of medicines, the DCGI has written to over 10,000 chemists across the country to stock Oseltamivir drug but not sell it without prescription, the official added.
The drug authority has also asked chemists to keep a photocopy of the prescriptions on which they have sold the drug. The death toll in Rajasthan and Gujarat — the two worst affected States — stood at 176 and 150 respectively on February 16. In Rajasthan, the maximum number of 30 deaths was reported in capital Jaipur. Eighty-one people have died in Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, two senior officials were sent to RMl Hospital in the national Capital to assess the situation following reports that swine flu patients were facing problems in getting medicines.
The Central Government has already launched a special awareness campaign as well radio jingles to educate the masses about the care and prevention from the contagious disease. People suffering from breathing problem, cold and fever have been advised to see doctors immediately across 110 hospitals and should also keep a check on visiting crowded places, the official added.