Centre push for flu medicines, Kolkata supply may normalise in April

Kolkata: After Oseltamivir, a medicine that is used in the treatment of infections from flu, went off the shelves in Kolkata, the Centre has asked the pharmaceutical bodies to monitor the supply of the medicine on a day-to-day basis. However, the supply of medicine at the city market is not likely to return to normal before the first week of April.

"The Union health ministry is keeping a tab on a few medicines, including Oseltamivir and paracetamol. They have asked the industry bodies to ensure supplies. Even today we had a call from a health ministry official over the medicines. We had a word with the manufacturers and supplies will be restored across the country soon," said Rajiv Singhal, general secretary, All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).

Arun Malas, (east Kolkata) secretary of Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association (BCDA), said the shortage was mainly due to very low demand for Oseltemavir in the past couple of years that prompted the manufacturers to bring the production to a minimum. "Suddenly, there is a surge in demand. My shop in Salt Lake has at least four hospitals nearby and I was getting enquiries for Oseltemavir everyday," he said.

"Supply situation for Oseltamivir at city markets is still critical as the stocks are being sold in a day. Two days ago, I had 600 units and that was sold by the next day," said Somnath Ghosh of Metro Pharma.