The Department of Health will spend R30m to ensure there is enough Tamiflu to treat patients with the H1N1 virus.

To date 20 people have died from the disease, commonly known as swine flu, and more than 5000 cases have been confirmed.

Almost half of the deaths recorded were pregnant women.

Expectant women have been identified as those most at risk of contracting the virus and have been urged to take Tamiflu at the first sign of flu.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said his department will make sure that there is sufficient anti-viral medication in the country.

"We have been working around the clock with the director general to buy R30-million worth of Tamiflu because most of the Tamiflu might go to the northern hemisphere now that their winter is starting. They might actually hold a lot of it before we even lay our hands on it," the minister said.

Read more about swine flu in our special report!