This year, Thailand has witnessed a dramatic increase in influenza cases, showing a fivefold surge compared to last year’s monthly averages. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned the public about the illegal smuggling of antiviral medications falsely labeled as oseltamivir into the country.
Dr. Thira Woratanarat, a faculty member at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, disclosed on his Facebook page that between January and September of this year, there has been a significant rise in influenza cases compared to the same period in the previous year. For instance, January had fewer than 20,000 cases, but by September, this number had spiked to 100,000, surpassing the 20,000 cases reported in September of the previous year.
Dr. Thira further provided statistics on the alarming rate of increase, demonstrating a 5.2-fold rise in January, a 7.6-fold increase in February, a 3.5-fold increase in March, a 3.8-fold increase in April, a 5.3-fold increase in May, a 6.9-fold increase in June, a 7.2-fold increase in July, a 6.4-fold increase in August, and a 5.1-fold increase in September.
The Public Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, has recently announced the presence of influenza variants A H1N1, A H3N2, and B viruses in Thailand. In response, the Public Health Ministry is extending the age range for child vaccinations from six months to two years old, up to five years old as a precautionary measure.
A concerning trend has emerged in the northern regions, where counterfeit antiviral medication falsely labeled as oseltamivir is in high demand. Reports submitted to the ministry suggest that locals have been misled into believing that there is a shortage of oseltamivir, leading to panic-driven purchases.
Dr. Narong Aphikulvanich, the acting secretary-general of the FDA, clarified that oseltamivir is readily available, and the Government Pharmaceutical Organization is actively manufacturing oseltamivir (30g and 45g) for distribution across all regions. He emphasized that the artificial oseltamivir being sold in the North is smuggled into the country, and the FDA intends to take legal action against those responsible.
The oseltamivir medications currently available in Thailand include Tamiflu 75g, GPO A-Flu 30g, 35g, and 75g. It is a controlled substance and can only be obtained at hospitals. Dr. Narong strongly advises patients to use it solely under a prescription and refrain from purchasing it from pharmacies or other sources.
