Ministry allays fears as Tamiflu sales increase

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Many pharmacies are seeing a brisk sale of Tamiflu despite the Ministry of Health assuring that the UAE is free of the H1N1 virus, formerly referred to as swine flu.

Residents said they are buying Tamiflu as a precautionary step. According to the ministry's directives, pharmacies must ask for a prescription for Tamiflu. A number of pharmacies are selling Tamiflu over the counter.

The pharmacies said they have yet to register the drug with the ministry and are able to sell over the counter.

"We have been selling an average of 15 to 20 packs of Tamiflu for the past four days. Once we get the drugs registered, it will be sold on prescription," said a salesman.

The Ministerial Service Council has instructed the Health Ministry to take preventive measures to ensure that the UAE remains free of H1N1.

A report from Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health, was discussed at yesterday's meeting, chaired by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the council.

The council expressed satisfaction with the precautionary measures.

The National Committee for Combating H1N1 also held a meeting. The ministry has set up a website in Arabic and English, which is updated daily with the latest information on H1N1 and up-to-date reports by the World Health Organisation to keep the public informed.

The website will be linked to WAM, the National Media Council and other government bodies.

Sharjah International Airport will put thermal scanners in place today, and passengers flying in from the West will be screened for suspected cases of H1N1, a senior doctor said.

Suspected passengers are presently being screened with the help of digital ear thermometers. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports already have thermal scanners in place.

- With inputs from WAM

Are you worried about H1N1 influenza A? Do you think there is a serious threat posed by non-prescribed usage of Tamiflu by people? Do you think the world is doing enough to contain the flu?

There is not point in stopping just the people having swine flue symptoms at the airports. There is a high chance that several of the other passengers on the same flight might be infected from them.
John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 18:25

No humans can run away from life itself.If a person has to get infected even after all precautions taken, he will get it. That's the rule of nature. However, the UAE govt. is doing a great job to avoid the spread of the virus, as always. In my opinion, the stress and fear over the dreadful virus is more dangerous than the actual virus itself. Have faith in God and yourself first, the rest of the courage will follow you eventually.
Agniyah Sheikh
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 17:01

No need to panic since there is no any H1NI case reported in UAE and also health departments have been taken necessary precautionary measures
Rafeeq Ponnani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 14:29

"Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick"Q: What is the use in screening passengers at the entry point and isolating only passenger with symptoms
Joe Thomas
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 13:12

As we all are aware of a famous quote "Prevention is better then cure" so it's time to prevent the disease from spreading to UAE rather than suffering. It's quite natural that the govt takes some steps in order to protect it's people from flu and I feel it is the need of the hour too.
Murugan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 13:11

The media is doing its best to inform the people in detail about the H1N1 influenza A. People need to understand the situation and not panic unnecessarily. I think pharmacies must stop selling such drugs over the counter. The drugs must be sold only on doctor's prescription. If there is panic buying then in case the virus does affect some people, there won't be sufficient stock to meet the demand. A country or its people can only take certain precautions to avoid the virus. Getting stressed about something which has occurred elsewhere is pointless. What is to happen will happen anyway and nobody can stall the inevitable.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 13:04

I think the media is exaggerating when talking about H1N1 being a plague and people are too much exaggerating in their reactions as well. very simple question. Do you know how many people are dying from Malaria in Africa every year?
Tarek
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 09:11

Perhaps the authorities should look at how other countries are managing the situation. Some countries (with no H1N1 cases) even start to take temperature of staff and visitors who visit hospitals. Patients with fever are separated from those that don't have. This will prevent any spreading of the flu even if one has it. Look at a country like Hong Kong or Singapore. Their preparation is more visual and reach out to all people within the country. I feel many people are not educated or even aware of the swine flu.
Desmond
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 07:45

I think all the passengers should be screenend to identify.
R. J.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 04, 2009, 07:37