ID :
76324
Thu, 08/20/2009 - 20:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/76324
The shortlink copeid
H1N1 ANTIVIRAL MEDICINE FOR US$23 TO FIGHT INFLUENZA A
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian public can get antiviral
medicine to treat Influenza A (H1N1) for not more than RM80 (US$23) a box from
the network of clinics and hospitals participating in the 'Prevention and
Treatment of Influenza A (H1N1)' campaign.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said till now 85 clinics and hospitals in the
country had confirmed their participation.
He said under the campaign participating clinics and hospitals will be
offered special prices to buy the antiviral medicine FluHalt (Oseltamivir
Phospate) produced by Syarikat Ranbaxy (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
"Clinics are not to sell the medicine for more than RM80. At one time the
price went up to RM180 (US$51).
"We feel this is a pandemic season and with the support pharmaceutical drug
suppliers we can reduce the price," he said to reporters after launching the
campaign here.
Besides the offer of low prices, clinics and hospitals in the campaign were
also encouraged to charge a minimum price for consultation cases for
influenza-like illness (ILI) to reduce the financial burden of patients.
Liow also stressed that action would be taken on any private hospitals or
clinics which refuse to provide treatment to H1N1 patients but ask them to seek
treatment at government clinics and hospitals.
"EarLier there have been many patients who went to private clinics and who
were referred to government clinics and hospitals.
"I hope this does not happen again. It is time for all private clinics and
hospitals to play their roles to assist the government to fight the H1N1
epidemic," he said.
Alriz, a bumiputera company, and Ranbaxy (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, launched the
campaign to help Malaysians get treatment easily and at lower prices at private
clinics in the country.
A website in various languages www.h1n1.net.my has been set up to provide
information to the public on H1N1 and enable them to find the nearest
participating clinic in their area.
Liow said Malaysia had made early orders for the H1N1 vaccine and the first
consignment of 400,000 doses will arrive in October and the second one in
January.
Earlier at the Ampang Hospital, Liow urged insurance companies to offer
protection for influenza A (H1N1) victims who had bought insurance from them
especially if their customers died due to the disease.
"This is a social responsibility that they have to carry out given that now
not all insurance companies offered the protection to H1N1 victims," he said.
-- BERNAMA
medicine to treat Influenza A (H1N1) for not more than RM80 (US$23) a box from
the network of clinics and hospitals participating in the 'Prevention and
Treatment of Influenza A (H1N1)' campaign.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said till now 85 clinics and hospitals in the
country had confirmed their participation.
He said under the campaign participating clinics and hospitals will be
offered special prices to buy the antiviral medicine FluHalt (Oseltamivir
Phospate) produced by Syarikat Ranbaxy (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
"Clinics are not to sell the medicine for more than RM80. At one time the
price went up to RM180 (US$51).
"We feel this is a pandemic season and with the support pharmaceutical drug
suppliers we can reduce the price," he said to reporters after launching the
campaign here.
Besides the offer of low prices, clinics and hospitals in the campaign were
also encouraged to charge a minimum price for consultation cases for
influenza-like illness (ILI) to reduce the financial burden of patients.
Liow also stressed that action would be taken on any private hospitals or
clinics which refuse to provide treatment to H1N1 patients but ask them to seek
treatment at government clinics and hospitals.
"EarLier there have been many patients who went to private clinics and who
were referred to government clinics and hospitals.
"I hope this does not happen again. It is time for all private clinics and
hospitals to play their roles to assist the government to fight the H1N1
epidemic," he said.
Alriz, a bumiputera company, and Ranbaxy (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, launched the
campaign to help Malaysians get treatment easily and at lower prices at private
clinics in the country.
A website in various languages www.h1n1.net.my has been set up to provide
information to the public on H1N1 and enable them to find the nearest
participating clinic in their area.
Liow said Malaysia had made early orders for the H1N1 vaccine and the first
consignment of 400,000 doses will arrive in October and the second one in
January.
Earlier at the Ampang Hospital, Liow urged insurance companies to offer
protection for influenza A (H1N1) victims who had bought insurance from them
especially if their customers died due to the disease.
"This is a social responsibility that they have to carry out given that now
not all insurance companies offered the protection to H1N1 victims," he said.
-- BERNAMA
