DENPASAR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Indonesia will start producing oseltamivir (tamiflu) pills in an adequate amount this year in anticipation of the possibility of a further spread of the bird flu virus, Indonesia's ANTARA news agency reported.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie said here on Tuesday the drug would be produced in an adequate quantity so the country no longer needed to import it.

He made the statement after opening the Government of Indonesia Meeting with International Key Partners on Avian Influenza attended by 150 participants from 11 countries.

He said the authority to produce the anti-bird flu medicine was fully in the hands of the minister of health. "It is the minister of health who will designate the company that will produce the medicine," he said.

He hoped production of the medicine at home could be done well like producing generic medicines so that the price could be made as low as possible.

The pills would later be distributed to community health care centers across the country as well as to general hospitals in districts and provinces in anticipation of the possibility of a further spread of the disease.

The virus had so far affected 12 out of the country's 33 provinces, including the tourist island of Bali.

The head of Bali's health service, Dr Dewa Ketut Oka, said supply of anti-bird flu pills in Bali was adequate.-- BERNAMA