Another four million doses of antiviral drugs for avian influenza will be added to the present 3.5-million stockpile early next year, the Centre for Health Protection says.

The Government seeks to maintain a target level of 20.5 million doses as part of its Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic.

In view of the shelf-life of the drugs and the capacity of pharmaceutical companies, the doses will be delivered in batches, and the centre will continue liaison to ensure early delivery.