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Healthy people on meds risk resistance

The government department is still distributing medicines

Hyderabad: Pulmonologists have warned that distribution of Proflax tablets or Tamiflu to healthy relatives of patients, who have contracted swine flu, will only end up creating resistance.

Dr Subhakar K., senior chest physician and state in-charge for monitoring swine flu cases said, “We have requested all doctors to stop prescribing Tamiflu or Proflax tablets to the healthy relatives of patients.

This is because the H1N1 virus is now a part of our environment. Proflax tablets have to be given only to those who come very close to the patient or are in the high risk group, like senior citizens, pregnant women, women who have recently delivered or people suffering from chronic ailments.”

A request has also been sent to the governments of both Telangana and AP to not distribute the medicines to one and all as it would prove harmful in the long run.

The government department is still distributing medicines. Dr Subhakar says relatives must be screened before they are given Proflax.

Pulmonologist Dr C. Vijay said, “There is a collective immunity that people have developed towards swine flu. Hence, there is resistance in healthy people whose immunity is helping them fight the disease. We have to concentrate more on the vulnerable groups and ensure that they get proper treatment.”

( Source : dc correspondent )
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