Lloydspharmacy has become the first major retailer to sell the swine flu drug Tamiflu online.

From today it will be possible to buy Tamiflu via its online doctor service www.lloydspharmacy.com.

Packs of ten will sell at £48.50, which is less than half the price of some other online sources, it said.

Lloydspharmacy governance and pharmacy relations director Andy Murdock said: “We have decided to become the first recognised healthcare brand to sell Tamiflu online in advance of need so that people who want to buy the treatment can get it from a reputable online source.”

Murdock added that information would be sent out with the drugs from doctors explaining swine flu symptoms and under what circumstances they should start taking it.