Easier access to H1N1 medicines raises fears of drug resistance

Easier access to H1N1 medicines raises fears of drug resistance (The Hindu)

Context Misuse may lead to situations of anti-viral medications turning ineffective. Issue and Concerns

• There are concerns regarding a build-up of resistance to antiviral drugs used to treat swine flu surfacing, after two such drugs Oseltamivir and Zanamivir were taken off the restrictive Schedule X of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.
• Now under Schedule H1, the drugs can be stocked by all chemists.
• Central health authorities have also advised doctors to prescribe the drugs based on strong symptoms, without opting for the swab test.
• Medical experts say these decisions could lead to misuse and eventually, severe drug resistance.

More details

• Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are antiviral drugs that block the actions of influenza virus types A and B in the body. While Oseltamivir is available as tablets, Zanamivir comes in powder form.
• We are already witnessing antibiotic resistance and related hazards. Resistance built up only because antibiotics were easily available and even sold over the counter. Now, we seem to be going the same way with antiviral drugs.

Conclusion Bacteria mutate much faster than viruses. So, resistance should not be a cause of concern when there is a spurt in H1N1 cases.