A record 11 swine flu deaths, including three in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh each, were reported Wednesday, taking India's total toll to 212 as the government announced 'restricted sale' of anti-influenza medicine Tamiflu in the open market.

As many as 212 fresh cases were reported in the country, taking the total number of people affected with the influenza A(H1N1) to 6,800.

The health ministry said Tamiflu will be available in the open market within a week. The notification in this regard was issued Tuesday.

This allows for 'restricted sale' of Tamiflu (Oselatamivir) and Zanamivir, the only available drugs that are used for the treatment of influenza A(H1N1).

'It is expected that within the next five to seven days, both the drugs would be available in the retail market through identified chemists against proper medical prescriptions,' an official said.

'Taking into account the current spread of the influenza A(H1N1) in the country, the health ministry has decided that retail sale of tamiflu and Zanamivir should be allowed in the country but in a regulated manner,' he said.

The retail sale of Tamiflu was banned by the government and its distribution was permissible only through public health institutions. However, there was no restriction on the sale of Zanamivir.

A 10-tablet strip of Tamiflu costs Rs.280.

Maharashtra, which has registered the maximum number of deaths and cases in the country, reported one death each from Mumbai and Solapur. Its death toll has gone up to 89.

With the two deaths in Surat, Gujarat's toll has risen to 20, officials said.

Rajasthan recorded its first swine flu death Wednesday.

In Karnataka, three more swine flu deaths were reported, taking the toll due to the H1N1 virus in the state to 69.

All three victims died in Bangalore. While two died in government-run hospitals, one death was reported from a private hospital. All three died Sep 13. However, the report confirming that all three victims tested positive for the virus was received only Sep 15, a health official said.

Three people died of the H1N1 virus in Andhra Pradesh, taking the swine flu toll to 16 in the state. Two women died in the government-run Gandhi Hospital while a man succumbed at a private hospital here.

Rejecting the opposition's demand to declare a health emergency, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said: 'We are attentive and have taken all necessary steps to control swine flu.'

As many as 12 people have died of swine flu in the state during last four days. A total of 319 people were found infected by H1N1.

The state government has already warned private hospitals of stringent action under the Public Health Act if they refuse treatment or guidance to suspected swine flu patients.

Health Principal Secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam said all necessary steps were being taken to check the spread of the disease. He said though the first swine flu case in India was detected at the Hyderabad airport May 16, no deaths were reported till Sep 2.

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