WHO cautions against random purchase of antiviral drugs in India

The Daily
Srinagar, Aug 9

With the sudden rise in the frequency of pandemic H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) in India, World Health Organization Sunday issued a warning on the purchase of antiviral drugs without the prescription while four students with suspected Swine Flu symptoms were quarantined at Government Medical College Jammu.
“Two cases of suspected swine flu have been reported in Jammu,” said Medical Superintendent of GMC Jammu Ramesh Gupta.
He said the students - one studying in Bangalore and another in Pune, have been kept in isolation. “They had returned home to spend summer vacations here. One of them was staying in Kathua and the other at Nanak Nagar Jammu”.
“The blood samples of these suspects have been sent to Delhi,” Gupta added.
“Two more students checked into the hospital in similar condition and were quarantined by a special team of doctors,” Principal GMC hospital, Rajinder Singh told wire news agency.
Meanwhile, Communication Chief, UNICEF India Angela Walker while talking to Rising Kashmir over phone from New Delhi on behalf of WHO said, “WHO has advised people not to purchase medicines to fight or prevent influenza A (H1N1) unless prescribed by a health care practitioner in line with national pandemic influenza preparedness plans”.
“Testing has shown that the currently circulating influenza (H1N1) virus is sensitive to anti-virals such as Oseltmivir or Zanamivir, which are authorized in a number of WHO member States,” she informed.
The step, WHO India authorities say, has been taken as the widespread inappropriate use of these medicines could increase the risk of the virus developing resistance in them. “Antivirals should therefore only be purchased with a prescription from a health practitioner who has examined the patient,” Walker added.
The warning further says the products sold outside the authorized ‘national medicine supply chains’ should not be purchased. “Besides caution should be exercised in buying antivirals over the internet,” it said.
The warning further states that unlicensed and illegal internet pharmacies take orders and payments with no assurance of the medicines being delivered.
WHO had last month sounded an all-India alert saying that the pandemic can spread like never before in the coming flu seasons especially in tourist destinations all over India.
Symptoms/Precautions
So far most of people, who have contracted the new influenza A (H1N1) virus have experienced influenza-like symptoms such as sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, malaise, headache, joint/muscle pain.
WHO has issued following advice to those who experience flu-like symptoms:
. Stay home and avoid close contact with others until at least 24 hours after the symptoms are completely gone.
. Wash hands frequently and always cover his mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
. Wear a simple surgical mask when meeting others
. In case of severe symptoms like difficulty in breathing, pain or pressure in the chest abdomen, sudden dizziness confusion and severe or persistent vomiting, one should seek medical care immediately.