As many people have already bought Tamiflu for home use, Head of the Health Ministry’s Department for Preventive Health and Environment Nguyen Huy Nga again cautioned that Tamiflu must be used following doctor’s prescription and is administered free-of-charge at State-run health establishments.

Those who have drug prescriptions through a private health organisation or want to take Tamiflu as a preventive measure while travelling abroad can buy the drug at pharmacies at a price publicised on the website of the Drug Administration of Vietnam.

The Health Ministry strictly forbids price gouging by those selling medication. Any violations will be strictly dealt with.

Vietnam confirmed 69 more positive cases of A/H1N1, raising the total number of infected patients in the country to 2,142 with two deaths by August 25.

So far, 1,228 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital. The remaining 912 are in quarantine for medical treatment.