State government's decision to let chemists sell swine flu antidote has failed, with chemists selling less than 5 per cent of their stock
State government's decision to let chemists sell swine flu antidote has failed, with chemists selling less than 5 per cent of their stock
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One-an-a-half months after the state permitted chemists to stock swine flu antidote oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu), government officials and retail associations admit the move has flopped.
No sales
Chemists say that they have sold less than five per cent of their stock, which has now turned into a dead investment. "There is barely any sale of oseltamivir tablets; people are scared to buy it even if the local doctor prescribes it. If they suspect flu, they would prefer to get admitted in a hospital rather than have medicine at home," said Dnyaneshwar Narhare, president, Chemists Association of Pune.
Even state officials admit that the decision as futile. "At the time the decision to allow chemists to sell the drug was taken, most chemists didn't have the Schedule X license necessary to stock the drug. We made them procure it immediately. But its true there is no sale of the drug at these shops," said Sanjay Patil, joint commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (Pune division).
Cost too high
According to Dr Pravin Shengare, joint director, Directorate of Medical Education and Research, the cost of the drug u2013 Rs 449 for 10 tablets u2013 was possibly the reason for the low sales. "In a government set-up, the drug is free. Besides people's confidence in the machinery is established now. That may be another reason."
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