In recent days, as flu cases have increased, many pharmacies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have increased the price of Tamiflu, a drug used to treat influenza A, due to high demand and scarce supplies.
Tamiflu at a pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City is sold for 690,000 VND/box - Photo: T. THIEN
Previously, every time the flu season increased, the price of Tamiflu also "followed the trend" and increased accordingly. Many people bought the drug to stock up because they were worried that when demand increased, supply would be limited.
Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online on the morning of February 10, a representative of the pharmaceutical business management department, Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health said that regarding the active ingredient Oseltamivir, drugs containing the active ingredient Oseltamivir (for flu treatment) are still guaranteed in supply.
"Regarding Tamiflu, according to information from the importing company, the current inventory is more than 10,000 boxes, the company has just sold more than 30,000 boxes to the distribution company. In the near future, the company will import about 50,000 more boxes for use.
Currently, the country also produces and supplies drugs containing Oseltamivir, currently there are over 300,000 pills. The wholesale price remains the same," he said.
According to Tuoi Tre Online , in recent days, the price of Tamiflu - an antiviral drug to treat influenza A - in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has increased, ranging from 520,000 - 690,000 VND/box/10 pills.
Meanwhile, the Drug Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Health) publicly announced on its website the expected wholesale price of Tamiflu hard capsules (75mg), box of 1 blister pack of 10 capsules, priced at 44,877 VND/capsule, equivalent to nearly 450,000 VND/box.
In response to the news that many stores have increased the price of Tamiflu, a representative of the pharmaceutical business management department emphasized that acts of taking advantage of and increasing the selling price for personal gain will be punished according to regulations with a fine of 50,000,000 - 80,000,000 VND for individuals; for organizations, the fine will be doubled according to regulations.
In addition, according to regulations, organizations and individuals who commit this violation are also forced to remedy the consequences, specifically returning to customers the amount of money they have profited from the administrative violation.
Recently, the Drug Administration of Vietnam also sent a document to health departments, hospitals and drug import and export establishments requesting to ensure the supply of treatment drugs.
Specifically, the department requested units to make plans to stockpile and purchase flu treatment drugs to promptly treat patients. Drug import and export establishments should increase supplies and develop drug supply plans to meet the demand for flu treatment.
In addition, the Drug Administration also requested provincial and municipal health departments to strengthen inspection and supervision of drug supply to avoid speculation and unreasonable price increases.
Do not use Tamiflu without permission.
According to Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung - former head of the pediatrics department, Bach Mai Hospital, not all flu patients use Tamiflu.
"If the flu is mild, there is no need to take Tamiflu, the disease will go away on its own. At this time, people need to understand Tamiflu correctly to avoid the mentality of rushing to waste money buying this drug because of rumors that it is a "miracle drug" to treat the flu," Dr. Dung emphasized.
In addition, Tamiflu is only effective if the flu is diagnosed early within the first 48 hours, with fever symptoms and under the doctor's instructions. After 48 hours, patients are mainly treated with fever reducers and care to prevent complications.
Tamiflu also causes some side effects. According to medical experts, the most common side effect of Tamiflu is that it can cause vomiting. In addition, there are diarrhea, headaches, and kidney toxicity in people with kidney disease.
"Worryingly, the abuse of Tamiflu can lead to many health consequences, such as the increasing phenomenon of drug resistance," Dr. Dung warned.
Tamiflu must be taken as directed and prescribed by a physician. If you have symptoms of cough, fever, runny nose, headache, or fatigue, you should go to a medical facility immediately for examination and timely treatment.
Don't panic but don't be subjective about seasonal fluSource: https://tuoitre.vn/thuoc-tamiflu-tri-cum-a-con-day-kho-khong-co-tinh-trang-chay-hang-20250210090516263.htm
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