Denmark's supply of influenza medicine to treat a bird flu outbreak is to increase by over 10 million doses after the parliament have agreed to appropriate 8.9 million euros to purchase more of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu, Ritzau news bureau reported on Friday.

The decision was one aspect of a parliamentary decision to improve the country's preparedness for a flu outbreak.

"We are requesting the parliament's budget committee to earmark 8.9 million euros and now in order to buy Tamiflu so that we have a ready supply if we need it," said Health and Interior Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, who initiated the proposal.

Health officials already have a supply of the medicine, but it is only predicted to be enough for about 30,000 people for five days.

The health minister admitted the level was insufficient and said the increased supply would be enough to treat as much as 19 percent of the population.

In addition to purchasing more medicine, the parliament also agreed to use 1.3 million euros annually for vaccination insurance, which will ensure all Danes can be vaccinated in the event of an outbreak.

Source: Xinhua