Pharmacists urged to promptly issue antivirals as influenza cases rise

Community pharmacists can now supply antiviral medicines for the prevention and treatment of influenza at NHS expense

With influenza (flu) actively circulating within communities, pharmacists are advised to ensure antiviral medicines are issued to patients promptly.

“If unable to fulfil the whole prescription, pharmacists should consider how best to assist patients gain timely access to antivirals. e.g. whether other community pharmacies locally have stock.

“If they do, either arrange for the patient to collect the stock from that pharmacy or get the stock transferred to your pharmacy,” states a guideline issued by the chief medical officer and chief pharmaceutical officer for England.

The guideline authorises healthcare professionals in primary care settings to prescribe antiviral medicines, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, for the prevention and treatment of influenza.

Community pharmacists are also informed that they can supply these medicines at NHS expense.

The guideline suggests that antiviral medicines can be prescribed for “patients in clinical at-risk groups as well as anyone at risk of severe illness and/or complications from influenza if not treated.”

UKHSA surveillance data shows that influenza activity is increasing in all levels of care, particularly in care homes, and it is expected to increase further over the coming weeks.

Use of antiviral medicines  

The guideline recommends starting oseltamivir treatment within 48 hours of symptom onset. For zanamivir, treatment should begin within 48 hours of symptom onset for adults and within 36 hours for children aged 5 years or older.

Oral oseltamivir suspension can be prescribed for children over 12 months and adults who are not able to swallow capsules.

For children under 12 months, oseltamivir is recommended for those, including full-term neonates, who present with symptoms typical of influenza during periods of community circulation.

Diagnosing influenza can be difficult due to its similarity to other respiratory infections like COVID-19. Hence, the guideline recommends considering virological testing, where possible, to help guide case management and outbreak responses.

As the influenza season sets in, all health and social care workers are reminded to get vaccinated and follow appropriate infection control measures to protect their patients.

UK signs H5 influenza vaccine contract 

Meanwhile, the UK government has secured a contract for over five million doses of a human H5 influenza vaccine to boost the country's preparedness against a potential H5 influenza pandemic.

The vaccine, derived from a current H5 avian influenza strain, will be produced by CSL Seqirus UK Limited.

Dr. Meera Chand, emerging infection lead at UKHSA, stated, “Adding H5 vaccines to the interventions already available to us will help us to be ready for a wider range of threats.”

The influenza A(H5N1) virus primarily affects birds and has been driving a prolonged global outbreak in recent years.

The human H5 influenza vaccine would only be used if the virus began spreading among humans—no evidence of such a case currently exists.