ALERT: Antiviral Medicines
Written by admin on Thursday 21st December 2017
GPs and other prescribers working in primary care may now prescribe antiviral medicines for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza on NHS FP10 prescriptions
We have had a number of flu outbreaks in care homes over the last couple of weeks and these are likely to continue / increase. You may now see prescriptions particularly from care homes for antivirals and so pharmacy teams are requested to order stock as needed but please not to over order stocks of the antiviral medicines.
A small number of community pharmacies have agreed to hold a very small amount of stock in West Hampshire so that there is a guaranteed amount of stock available should there be a more extensive sudden outbreak at a home requiring treatment rather than prophylaxis. These chosen sites are currently operating the 'Palliative Care' service that has had the antiviral medicines temporarily added to the service spec agreement.
The agents only work if started ASAP, so it's important for community pharmacies to react quickly when prescriptions are received to enable prompt initiation of treatment.
---------
For more information, please read the following PSNC update containing the Central Alerting System message from the Department of Health.
DH issues Influenza Season 2017/18: Use of Antiviral Medicines letter