A month after antiviral drug Oseltamivir, which is used to treat swine flu (H1N1), was taken off the Schedule X list of drugs to make it easily accessible, it is in short supply in Mumbai. Schedule X drugs can only be sold if the buyer has a doctor’s prescription, not over the counter. Initially we didn’t know we could stock medicines because we don’t have the licence to stock schedule X drugs,” said the pharmacist. Vinita Thomas, joint commissioner (Drugs), FDA, said. “Non-availability of the syrup which is used for children was serious so we asked Noble Medicines and Wellness Medicines to stock Oseltamivir immediately.

Source: Hindustan Times August 06, 2017 18:22 UTC