'We have seen how people are rushing to get themselves tested. The fear is that there could be panic buying. Fake Tamiflu could start circulating too,' he added.

He suggested that the health ministry involve private hospitals that could provide the anti-influenza drugs. 'The only thing to keep in mind is that the government should ensure accountability. It should monitor who is using the drugs and that it is not being misused.'

S. Chaterjee, senior consultant in the department of internal medicine with Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said the government should not allow private pharmacists to sell Tamiflu over the counter.

'People will start buying and consuming it without any reason. Tamiflu should only be taken if one tests positive for swine flu, else the body will develop immunity against the medicine,' he said.

There have been flipflops from the health ministry on the issue.

When 14-year-old girl Reeda Shaikh died in Pune of swine flu Aug 3, union health secretary Naresh Dayal said th government would consider selling Tamiflu in the open market. The next day, Vineet Chawdhry, joint secretary in the ministry of health, denied any plans to allow its sale over the counter.

But Dayal Friday made it clear they were not considering it. 'The supply of Tamiflu will be controlled by the government and as of now there are no plans to sell it over the counter,' he said.

'In India, people have a different kind of behaviour and are used to popping pills...We discussed the issue with medical experts and they suggested it is risky to allow the private sale of Tamiflu as people will start taking it without showing any swine flu symptoms and would develop immunity to the vaccine,' Dayal said.

But Health Minister Azad said in the Rajya Sabha Friday: 'In two to three days, we will review the sale of Tamiflu in the open market. If necessary, we will do so. That will be done as and when required.'