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Australia: ACT warned against flu drug hoarding

Sally Furniss

Sally Furniss

Well-known member
ACT warned against flu drug hoarding

The ACT Government has warned the public against stockpiling the antiviral drug Tamiflu.

Three people in Canberra have been confirmed to have swine flu, with one other person awaiting the results of tests.

Chief Medical Officer Charles Guest says only doctors should prescribe Tamiflu and only for people who already display symptoms or have a high chance of exposure to the virus.

"It's not appropriate for members of the public at large to be hoarding Tamiflu and taking it on the off chance that they might bump into somebody with a cough or a cold," he said.

"That will only lead to waste of Tamiflu, and that's a serious matter."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583301.htm
 
Re: Australia: ACT warned against flu drug hoarding

Well, this is a serious matter because what the AU authorities are saying very clearly is that doctors must not write prescriptions for Tamiflu for their patients to use during pandemic conditions when access to medical care is degraded.

Certainly there are concerns about the risk of causing viral resistance if Tamifu was used inappropriately by the public. However, I think it is much more likely that it will be impossible to use Tamiflu APPROPRIATELY MEANING WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE ONSET OF FLU symptoms unless it is already in the hands of the public.

The key to the appropriate use of this or any drug is being given proper advice for when to begin it, the proper dose and length of time to take it. This requires giving the public the education they need on comprehensive home care for influenza, something that has not been forthcoming adequately IMO.

I have written about this topic extensively and when I have given my patients prescriptions for Tamiflu to stockpile at home for use during a pandemic, I require them to have my written advice on hand. (Please don't call me for a prescription since I only write them for my patients although I sympathize greatly with those of you who have not been able to get your doctor to see the light).

To paraphrase Clawdia (at my own risk) who commented recently on Fluwiki in a thread about United Healthcare requiring pre-authorization for Tamiflu prescriptions for those covered by the State of GA heath plan, "this was bound to happen". The AU government has in effect taken control of the anti-viral supply in that country and will likely follow this announcement by taking physical control of the drug that exists within that nation. NZ will likely follow suit.

For those FTs in AU and NZ I hope you already have your Tamiflu stockpile safe and sound and if so, please be sure that you know how and when to use it properly. Apparently your government like ours thinks you are not capable of doing this properly. It is this opinion I reject especially when you have been provided with the information needed to use these agents correctly.

Best regards,

Grattan Woodson, MD
 
Re: Australia: ACT warned against flu drug hoarding

it's not that there is a certain amount of Tamiflu in th world or in Australia
that must be distributed fairly.
Tamiflu can be produced.
If there is demand, if there is money, then more can produced,
more can be bought.

If some are willing to pay for that and take Tamiflu prophylactically,
is it ethical to forbid that ?
 
Re: Australia: ACT warned against flu drug hoarding

the doctor said:
To paraphrase Clawdia (at my own risk) who commented recently on Fluwiki in a thread about United Healthcare requiring pre-authorization for Tamiflu prescriptions for those covered by the State of GA heath plan, "this was bound to happen". The AU government has in effect taken control of the anti-viral supply in that country and will likely follow this announcement by taking physical control of the drug that exists within that nation. NZ will likely follow suit.

For those FTs in AU and NZ I hope you already have your Tamiflu stockpile safe and sound and if so, please be sure that you know how and when to use it properly. Apparently your government like ours thinks you are not capable of doing this properly. It is this opinion I reject especially when you have been provided with the information needed to use these agents correctly.

Best regards,

Grattan Woodson, MD
Click to expand...

05-18-2007
New Zealand may be first to open up access to Tamiflu
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24237

29 October 2007
Tamiflu orders fill pharmacy shelves
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39296

04-28-2009
Tamiflu will be available to New Zealanders over the counter
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101164
 
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