Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Many pharmacies are seeing a brisk sale of Tamiflu despite the Ministry of Health assuring that the UAE is free of the H1N1 virus, formerly referred to as swine flu.

Residents said they are buying Tamiflu as a precautionary step. According to the ministry's directives, pharmacies must ask for a prescription for Tamiflu. A number of pharmacies are selling Tamiflu over the counter.

The pharmacies said they have yet to register the drug with the ministry and are able to sell over the counter.

"We have been selling an average of 15 to 20 packs of Tamiflu for the past four days. Once we get the drugs registered, it will be sold on prescription," said a salesman.

The Ministerial Service Council has instructed the Health Ministry to take preventive measures to ensure that the UAE remains free of H1N1.

A report from Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health, was discussed at yesterday's meeting, chaired by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the council.

The council expressed satisfaction with the precautionary measures.

The National Committee for Combating H1N1 also held a meeting. The ministry has set up a website in Arabic and English, which is updated daily with the latest information on H1N1 and up-to-date reports by the World Health Organisation to keep the public informed.

The website will be linked to WAM, the National Media Council and other government bodies.

Sharjah International Airport will put thermal scanners in place today, and passengers flying in from the West will be screened for suspected cases of H1N1, a senior doctor said.

Suspected passengers are presently being screened with the help of digital ear thermometers. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports already have thermal scanners in place.