New Delhi, Sep 16 - A record 11 swine flu deaths, including three in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh each, were reported Wednesday, taking India's total toll to 212 as the government announced 'restricted sale' of anti-influenza medicine Tamiflu in the open market.
As many as 212 fresh cases were reported in the country, taking the total number of people affected with the influenza A(H1N1) to 6,800.
The health ministry said Tamiflu will be available in the open market within a week. The notification in this regard was issued Tuesday.
This allows for 'restricted sale' of Tamiflu (Oselatamivir) and Zanamivir, the only available drugs that are used for the treatment of influenza A(H1N1).
'It is expected that within the next five to seven days, both the drugs would be available in the retail market through identified chemists against proper medical prescriptions,' an official said.
'Taking into account the current spread of the influenza A(H1N1) in the country, the health ministry has decided that retail sale of tamiflu and Zanamivir should be allowed in the country but in a regulated manner,' he said.
The retail sale of Tamiflu was banned by the government and its distribution was permissible only through public health institutions. However, there was no restriction on the sale of Zanamivir.
A 10-tablet strip of Tamiflu costs Rs.280.
Maharashtra, which has registered the maximum number of deaths and cases in the country, reported one death each from Mumbai and Solapur. Its death toll has gone up to 89.
With the two deaths in Surat, Gujarat's toll has risen to 20, officials said.