The distribution of swine flu medicines is being hampered in States with high incidence of the influenza because of the few licensed retailers.

The Centre, however, is likely to consider issuing more licences to private chemists given the rising number of flu cases.

Over 5,000 cases have been registered in the country since the beginning of this year.

Only chemists who have a licence to sell drugs under Schedule X are allowed to stock and sell swine flu medicine, Oseltamivir.

However, in States like Maharashtra and Delhi, the licences of many chemists’ have expired, keeping the drug out of their reach.

A senior official in the Ministry of Health agreed that few private chemists had the licence to sell Oseltamivir, also called Tamiflu, and health officials would discuss the possibility of handing out more licences in the coming week.

This drug has to be given only on prescription and we have to be careful before opening it up in the market because indiscriminate use could result in resistance [to the drug] and that would be a dangerous situation, the official said.

He added that the Ministry currently has a stock of 30,000 medicines and is likely to receive another 30,000 by Monday, thus eliminating shortages.

“The medicine, masks and other supplies are available in all Government hospitals and primary healthcare centres in States where it is required. We are already sending more supplies to Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and other States that have asked for the medicine,” the official added.

Most cases of swine flu are being seen in Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

Related Topics