New Delhi, Aug 9 - Should India sell Tamiflu in the open market as swine flue cases continue to rise? No, say experts and health officials, warning it could lead to panic buying, hoarding and even spurious sale of the anti-influenza medicine.

Despite senior health officials not being in favour of it, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said such a move is being considered.

Randeep Guleria, head of medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), said: 'I don't think it will be a good move (to sell it in the open market).'

He said one must not forget that people have a tendency to misuse the drug and hoard it. 'The result will be that those who really need it would not get it,' Guleria told IANS.

'Also, people would develop resistance to Tamiflu and it would no longer be effective in the long run,' he said.

According to reports, Mexico, which was the first country to report swine flu, found that many people have

Developed resistance to Tamiflu.

India has seen over 700 cases since the first case was detected May 16. On Friday, a record 96 fresh cases were reported. Those who tested positive were mostly children and doctors.

Guleria said, 'We should not forget that this endemic is here to stay for some time. Hoarding will also create a shortage of drugs. The government should continue to restrict it. The way it is being currently done is just fine,' he said.

At the moment, the government is selling Tamiflu at identified health facilities in the country where treatment of patients is going on.

In the US, Guleria said, the drug is available over the counter but a prescription is needed. 'They are kept by chemists. But it is not so easy to get the drug,' he added.

Apart from the US, Britain also sells the anti-influenza drugs in the open market, but on prescription.

Guleria said India needs to be careful.