Government approves RM4mil to buy Tamiflu drug

Star: Malaysia is assured of its stock of the anti-viral Tamiflu drug in the event a bird flu pandemic breaks out.
Health Ministry Disease Control Division director Dr Ramlee Rahmat said the drug manufacturer and supplier had agreed to meet Malaysia’s need.
“The Government has approved about RM4mil to buy the drug and we are in the process of procuring the first batch, which will be enough for 60,000 people,” he told reporters here yesterday.
“Priority will be given to those whose work will expose them to either patients of bird flu or sick animals.
“The drug company has promised to keep enough stock for us.”
Dr Ramlee was commenting on a statement by Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche that it was halting supplies of Tamiflu to the United States as many people were hoarding the drug.
Malaysia hopes to stockpile enough Tamiflu pills for 10% of its population under a comprehensive plan to get the country prepared for a pandemic.
The plan also involved designating 21 hospitals to care for patients and active surveillance of clinics for atypical influenza cases.
Dr Ramlee also advised Muslims going on pilgrimage to Mecca, especially those aged 60 and above, to be vaccinated against influenza.