Rampant Price Increases for Tamiflu
The recent surge in cases of Flu A, particularly in northern provinces, has made Tamiflu a highly sought-after medication.
Reporters from Dân trí observed that many pharmacies in Hanoi have run out of Tamiflu, while others have seen prices skyrocket due to high demand.
At a large pharmacy on Lang Ha Street, when reporters described symptoms such as coughing, headaches, runny nose, and body aches—indicative of Flu A—the staff recommended Tamiflu without requiring a doctor’s prescription, despite it being a prescription-only drug.
A pharmacy on Lang Ha Street selling Tamiflu at 83,000 VND per pill (Photo: P.V.).
“If you’ve had symptoms for seven days, you only need to take the medication for three days, with two pills each day,” they advised.
This pharmacy sells Tamiflu at 83,000 VND per pill, an increase of 10,000 VND compared to the previous week. The staff noted that this was imported Swedish medicine and stated they only had one remaining box.
At another pharmacy in Dong Da District, the staff informed reporters that Tamiflu was sold out due to high demand and would be restocked by evening or the next morning.
A pharmacy in Dong Da District had run out of Tamiflu at the time of reporting (Photo: P.V.).
When asked about the price, the staff mentioned that the current listed price was 510,000 VND for a box of 10 pills but warned that prices could change the following day.
Observations at pharmacies along Giải Phóng Street, opposite Bach Mai Hospital, also showed chaotic pricing for Tamiflu.
While most major pharmacies require a prescription for Tamiflu, smaller pharmacies often sell it more easily without one.
Different pharmacies along Giải Phóng Street offer varying prices for Tamiflu (Photo: P.V.).
At pharmacy T.A.D., Tamiflu was priced at 80,000 VND per pill. Staff advised taking two pills daily for five days if experiencing symptoms. However, they also stated that they would not sell the medication without a prescription.
At nearby pharmacy L.T., Tamiflu was available at 52,000 VND per pill but required a prescription. At another nearby pharmacy, Tamiflu was sold at 850,000 VND per box without a prescription, with the option to buy individual pills.
Staff at a pharmacy on Giải Phóng Street confirmed they only had one remaining box of Tamiflu due to the flu surge (Photo: P.V.).
Many other nearby pharmacies were also offering Tamiflu at around 80,000 VND per pill, citing the flu outbreak as the reason for the price hike.
According to a nationwide pharmacy chain, customer visits for cold and flu-related products like cough syrup, throat lozenges, and masks increased by 15% to 25% from January 1st to February 8th. Daily sales of these items reached over 100,000 transactions, with average bills ranging from 110,000 to 130,000 VND.
Tamiflu Abundant Online, Surprisingly Cheap
Unlike the scarcity seen in traditional pharmacies, Tamiflu is readily available online through social media platforms like Facebook.
In the “Vietnamese Pharmacy and Drugstore Association” group, numerous sellers advertise Tamiflu. Two types are commonly sold: “company stock” and “French imports.”
Contacting a seller named T.K.K.T., they offered company stock at 515,000 VND per box and French imports at 489,000 VND per box.
Numerous posts and comments advertising Tamiflu in online pharmacy groups (Screenshot).
Additionally, sellers claim to have ample stock, contradicting reports of shortages. Despite Tamiflu being a prescription-only drug, buyers can have it delivered without a prescription. Many sellers even encourage customers to stock up on Tamiflu ahead of flu season.
Risks of Self-Medicating with Tamiflu
Health guidelines from the Ministry of Health, WHO, and CDC recommend using antiviral drugs like Tamiflu only for severe cases or those at high risk.
Dr. Lê Văn Thiệu, Department of General Infectious Diseases, National Tropical Diseases Hospital, warns that Tamiflu, containing oseltamivir, is a prescription-only drug. It should be dispensed, sold, and used only with a doctor’s prescription and should never be used indiscriminately.
Dr. Lê Văn Thiệu, Department of General Infectious Diseases, National Tropical Diseases Hospital (Photo: Quang Trường).
Dr. Thiệu advises that not all flu cases require specific antiviral treatment like Tamiflu. Only high-risk cases may benefit from such medications. Most flu cases can recover without medical intervention.
Treatment primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms and monitoring for signs of severe progression. People with suspected flu symptoms should visit healthcare facilities for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Thiệu also recommends seeking medical attention if experiencing symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, or hoarseness, especially after potential viral exposure.
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