'Anyone (doctor) who is recommending it is doing a great disservice. These masks have to be used only by those who are at risk during testing or collecting (of report) or during treatment. It is not for general public,' he said.

The official said even at the international airports, doctors and paramedical use only three-layered surgical masks. 'It is cheap and available in the market,' he added.

Chawdhry said the ministry officials met representatives from pharmaceutical companies like Roche, Cipla and Ranbaxy.

The country has a total stock of 10 million Tamiflu capsules and the ministry has distributed two-thirds of it to various states.

'We would be buying 20 million Tamiflu capsules more from them. We already have made banking arrangements for 7.2 million Tamiflu tablets,' he added.

'We have discussed this with all manufacturers and pharma companies. We have worked out a delivery schedule that will ensure that the Tamiflu stockpile increases. These capsules will have a shelf life of four to five years.'

'We want to have a stock of 30 million that could treat 3 million people at any point of time,' he added.

Chawdhry said the authorities will come out with advertisements Thursday about guidelines that needed to be fulfilled by private hospitals before they start treating swine flu patients.