The number of Internet scammers offering fake versions of the anti-swine flu drug Tamiflu has surpassed those selling counterfeit Viagra, reports CNN.

Since the H1N1 swine flu was declared a global pandemic last month, there has been an increase in the number of Web sites and junk emails offering Tamiflu for sale. ‘Every Web site that used to sell Viagra is now selling Tamiflu. We are pretty sure that the same people are making the Tamiflu as are making the Viagra,’ said Director of Policy for the UK’s Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

We know that half the Viagra on the Internet is fake and half the Tamiflu that’s around will probably be fake as well.

The fake drugs could have anything from sugar to another drug that’s similar, or often it’s a lower dose of the drug, or even rat poison.

I am truly glad that Singapore did not manifest the panic and hysteria evident elsewhere. This is obviously the direct result of the Ministry of Health’s assurance that the stockpile of Tamiflu locally is adequate for the anticipated need, and that if necessary, MOH will procure sufficient H1N1 vaccines for all. Whether it is necessary to vaccinate everyone or not, the resolve expressed, without a doubt, put at ease any concern of the people living and working here.Thus Singaporeans will probably not be moved by these dubious online Tamiflu offerings. And that’s a good thing, for bogus medicines supplied over the Internet is shaping up to be a major killer. I am sorely tempted to advocate putting these egregious criminals on trial for Premeditated Murder, but that’s another story for some other day. (Sigh).