Govt likely to allow 'restricted sale' of Tamiflu

New Delhi, Aug 27: Minister of State for Health on Thursday, Aug 27, said that it will allow the 'restricted sale' of Swine Flu drug Tamiflu in the market only if the situation demanded it.

Minister of State for Health, Dinesh Trivedi, "If the situation demands, we will allow restricted sale of Tamiflu."

Speaking on the sidelines of Life Science Conclave, he said, "The situation has not arisen so far. But we will not hesitate if such a situation arises. Sale in open market needs regulation. We have not allowed open sale because swine flu is still under control and overuse can lead to drug resistance."

He said that the country was prepared and had been successful in controlling the virus but it was now in the air. "The vaccine will be ready in the world in a couple of months and it will benefit all., he added."

Earlier, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that India had stockpiled at least 20 million Tamiflu tablets and distributed nearly 10 million to state governments.

OneIndia News