Want Tamiflu? Be prepared to wait
November 13, 2009 12:33 PM
The Tamiflu shortage means two things: First, that you may have to visit more than one pharmacy to find it, and second, that it may take longer to fill your prescription.
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That's because the powder form usually prescribed for children and infants is in short supply, and so is the solution used to mix it. But pharmacists can instead use the pill form of the drug and compound it, so health officials stress there's no need to panic.
They say it takes more time to fill a prescription that way, so the Minnesota Department of Health is telling parents they should be prepared to wait.
Pharmacists say they're able to provide Tamiflu, but it may take them a little longer to fill the prescription. And they say it's the same medication, just given in a different form.
"The active ingredient will be dosed properly for the age and weight of the patient," said Doug White, a pharmacist at Cub Foods. "So the active ingredient is still the same, it's just how it's being delivered."
Beyond treating the flu, health experts say it's important to prevent it.
Dr. Aaron DeVries, an epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health, says it's important for people who have flu symptoms to stay home, and is stressing rest, fluids and lots of hand washing to stop the flu from spreading.
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