FLUVIR, the first anti-swine flu drug, was on Tuesday launched in the retail markets across the country. An Indian drug manufacturer, Hetero Healthcare Limited, announced the launch of 'FLUVIR', Oseltamivir drug similar to Tamiflu in the retail market. The launch of the drug came at a time when the deadly virus has claimed 257 lives and affected 8,153 people in the country.

Before the Government notification allowing retail sale of anti-viral drug Oseltamivir, the Centre procured 19 million FLUVIR capsules from Hetero to check the recent outbreak of deadly H1N1 flu in India, Marketing Director, Hetero Srinivas Reddy claimed.

FLUVIR, which was available only through government hospitals, will now be available in around 480 designated medical shops having Schedule X licence across the country, he said.

Hetero is the only Indian pharma company to have the licensing rights from Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd to manufacture and supply Oseltamivir (generic name of anti H1N1flu drug) in India as well as in other 100 underdeveloped and developing countries.