Pharmacists could distribute antivirals when flu hits
Packs of Tamiflu are being stockpiled |
Community pharmacists may be the most appropriate health care workers to give out antiviral drugs in case of an influenza pandemic, say Asian researchers.
Writing in The Lancet, the researchers say that, in case of a pandemic,
antiviral drugs will need to be distributed to patients and close contacts
within 48 hours. “It seems more appropriate for community-based
health care personnel, or even pharmacists, rather than hospital-based
health care workers, to handle such procedures,” they say.
They note that many governments are already stockpiling
quantities of the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir (Tamiflu), as is the case in
the UK (PJ, 30 July, p132). However, they suggest that zanamivir (Relenza)
should also be stockpiled for use in emergency plans since it has a more
favourable resistance profile than oseltamivir and fewer side effects
(2005;366:533).
Roche announced this week that it will donate 30 million doses (equivalent
to three million treatments) of Tamiflu to the World Health Organization.
Threat from wildfowl Media reports indicate that
poultry farmers in the Netherlands have moved all their birds indoors
to prevent them being infected by wild birds migrating from the east,
and that Germany plans to take similar action by next
month.
A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said
that the UK had no plans to move its birds indoors, saying: “We don’t
think it is proportional to the risk.” He said that Defra is urging poultry
farmers to maintain high levels of biosecurity, such as making sure their vehicles
are clean.
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