Will cold lead to swine flu? Find out at local pharmacy

With five lakh customers visiting state's 40,000 chemists, government instructs medical stores to put up boards with all swine flu-related info

Got questions on swine flu, but don't know whom to ask? Get to the cornerstone chemist.

With more than five lakh people visiting the 40,000 chemists across Maharashtra every day, inquiring about medicines to counter the H1N1 virus, the state government has instructed pharmacists to put up information boards outside their stores listing out the dos and don'ts.

Also, handbills with flu-related information such as symptoms, precautionary measures and places where you can be screened for swine flu will be distributed to customers. (See box)

H1N1 or malaria?

Prasad Danave, owner of Krishna Medico at Dahisar, said, "Six out of every 10 customers suffer from cold. Malaria cases are also on the rise.

People are worried as most assume they may have contracted the HINI virus and want to purchase any drug available. Basic medicines such as paracetamol are also out of stock."

Information boards, chemists believe, will bring some relief to panic-stricken customers. J S Shinde, president, All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, said, "People are inquiring about Tamiflu drug, used to treat swine flu, at the chemists.

We have received calls from shop owners complaining that customers suffering from fever are asking for swine flu tablets, as they fear they have been affected by the HINI virus."

Medical stores are not authorised to sell Tamiflu. It is available at state government hospitals only.

Harried pharmacists have welcomed the state's decision.

Gulshan Bhagtiani, director, Wellness Forever, which runs a chain of pharmacies across the city, said, "Most people are misguided and this creates panic.

People are buying alcohol-based disinfectants, but few are aware why they are using it. Creating awareness is the need of the hour."

FIND ANSWERS To...

1) What is swine flu?
2) What are the symptoms of swine flu?
3) What precautionary measures should be taken?
4) Should Tamiflu be bought online?u00a0
4) What to eat?
5) Which medicines need to be taken to increase immunity?
6) Which medicines should be taken if you have a flu?
7) Names and numbers of screening centers.