Oseltamivir syrup shortage haunts state-run hospitals

PUNE: As the number of swine flu cases soars in August, unavailability of oseltamivir syrup at state-run hospitals can further aggravate the situation.

The syrup is used for treating swine flu infection among children below the age of 10 years. Though unavailable at state-run hospitals, there is no dearth of the syrup at private medical stores.

“The unavailability of the syrup is going to deal a huge blow to state government’s efforts against swine flu. Treatment of H1N1-infected children, especially those from the poor families, will be jeopardized due to this,” medical experts said.

The H1N1 virus transmission has increased significantly in the state in August, claiming 11 lives and infecting 79 people.

“There is no denying the fact that the syrup is unavailable in state government’s supply chain for quite a few months now. We have told the higher authorities to expedite the process of procuring the medicine as the H1N1 cases have increased significantly in August,” Shashikant Jadhav, joint director of the state health department, told TOI.

A medical officer from the state-run Aundh Civil hospital said, “The drug has not been available for over three months now. We have no other option but to tell parents to purchase the syrup from private medical stores.”

Enough stock in civic-run hospitals

The oseltamivir syrup may be out of stock at the state-run hospitals, but PMC-run hospitals have not reported any dearth of it.

Senior medical officer Sudhir Patsute, in-charge of civic-run Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital, said, “Pune Municipal Corporation no longer gets its supply of swine flu medicines from the state government. We purchase our own swine flu medicines, which is why the syrup is available at civic-run hospitals. It is unavailable only at state-run hospitals in Maharashtra.”

Oseltamivir is the generic name of the drug. Oseltamivir capsules and syrup produced by a Hyderabad-based company are known as Fluvir. The duration after which the syrup reaches its expiry date is two years whereas the drug in the capsule form can be used for five years from the date of manufacturing. Medical stores wishing to keep Fluvir tablets and syrup for sale at their stores need to submit an order copy on their firm’s letter-head. Besides, they must have a copy of scheduled X licence to sell Fluvir.

A total of 79 new cases of swine flu (H1N1) were recorded in the state in August— a steep rise when compared to just 40 cases till July. Moreover, a total of 15 patients with swine flu are currently on ventilator support at various hospitals in the state, including 10 in Pune city and three in Pimpri Chinchwad.