Increasing the price of flu medicine for profit will be severely punished.

A representative of the Drug Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Health) confirmed that drugs containing the active ingredient Oseltamivir, used in the treatment of influenza, are still in guaranteed supply.

A representative of the Drug Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Health) confirmed that drugs containing the active ingredient Oseltamivir, used in the treatment of influenza, are still in guaranteed supply.

Specifically, for Tamiflu, the importing company said it had more than 10,000 boxes in stock, had sold more than 30,000 boxes to distribution companies, and would soon import another 50,000 boxes. Domestic manufacturers had also supplied more than 300,000 tablets containing Oseltamivir, with the wholesale price remaining the same.

The Drug Administration has also issued three documents requesting units to be proactive in providing drugs, not to hoard goods and increase prices unreasonably.

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The latest document, signed on February 12 by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Lam, Deputy Director of the Department of Drug Administration, requires local Departments of Health to organize inspections, checks, and strictly handle violations in the business of antiviral drugs, especially drugs to treat seasonal flu.

Violations include declaring prices incorrectly, not posting drug prices, selling drugs at higher prices than listed prices, as well as selling drugs of unknown origin or without a doctor's prescription.

Doctors only prescribe Tamiflu when a patient has flu symptoms and tests positive for influenza A or influenza B. Tamiflu is usually used within the first 48 hours of symptoms appearing.

Master, Doctor Tran Thu Nguyet, Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, emphasized that Tamiflu helps reduce the severity of flu and the duration of illness, while limiting the risk of complications from flu. However, the drug is not a treatment for all cases of flu and should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.

Dr. Nguyet also said that Tamiflu has been approved for use since 1999 for children 2 weeks of age and older. Side effects of the drug are usually mild and rare, but can include nausea and vomiting. The doctor recommends that parents should not give their children Tamiflu without a doctor's prescription, especially when the child has severe flu symptoms.

Tamiflu can help reduce flu symptoms and shorten the duration of illness by 1 to 3 days, helping children return to school and play activities sooner.

It can also reduce the risk of pneumonia and other flu-related health problems. When used early, Tamiflu can also help prevent ear infections as the flu progresses. However, it is not effective against some strains of flu and is not recommended for all children.

Dr. Nguyet warns that arbitrarily purchasing and using Tamiflu without proper prescription can lead to drug resistance, making it difficult to treat flu in the future. If a child has severe flu symptoms or is at high risk of complications, the doctor will evaluate and prescribe Tamiflu if necessary.

According to information from the Ministry of Health, the number of flu cases in Vietnam has increased locally since the end of 2024 and during the Lunar New Year 2025. The common flu virus strains currently include influenza A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and influenza B.

Winter - Spring weather with high humidity creates favorable conditions for the virus to develop and spread, along with increased trade and festival activities during Tet.

Dr. Thuc, Department of Tropical Diseases, said that since January 2025, the hospital has received about 250 cases of flu. After Tet, the number of flu patients tends to increase, with an average of 10 patients per day, sometimes up to 40 patients. Notably, not only children, the elderly or people with underlying diseases, but also young, healthy people are at risk of getting the flu and experiencing complications if they are subjective.

To prevent flu, Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hai, Safpo/Potec Vaccination System, annual flu vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent flu and dangerous complications.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that flu vaccination can reduce flu mortality by up to 70-80% and protection is up to 80-90%.

In particular, for patients with chronic diseases, vaccination can reduce hospitalization and death rates in cardiovascular patients by 35%, reduce death rates in diabetic patients by 58%, and reduce death rates in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 70%.

In addition, to prevent seasonal flu, experts recommend that people cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wear masks in crowded places, wash their hands frequently, and get a seasonal flu vaccine every year.

When having flu symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, headache, fatigue, people should not buy medicine on their own but should go to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/tang-gia-thuoc-dieu-tri-cum-de-truc-loi-se-bi-xu-phat-nghiem-khac-d247656.html