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What is Tamiflu?
Broadcast: January 29, 2006

Tamiflu is the brand name for the drug "oseltamivir," which belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals.

Tamiflu is the brand name for the drug “oseltamivir,” which belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals. Tamiflu is currently used in Canada during the annual flu season to treat severe cases of influenza.

Tamiflu works by stopping the virus from bursting out of infected cells, and therefore stopping the cycle of cells becoming continuously infected and the person from infecting other people.

If taken within the first 48 hours of becoming ill, Tamiflu can reduce both the duration and severity of symptoms. It only works against influenza A and B viruses. Tamiflu does not work against other viruses or bacteria.

Tamiflu is one of the main drugs currently being stockpiled by international government agencies – including the Public Health Agency of Canada – for use as the first line of defence against outbreaks of pandemic influenza. A second antiviral medicine called Relenza will also be used to treat Canadians during a pandemic.

During a pandemic, Tamiflu will also prescribed for phrophylactic use, as a preventative measure against becoming infected. In such cases, it will be reserved for designated priority groups: health care workers and essential services personnel, including those in police, fire and ambulance services.

Tamiflu can be used to treat severe illness due to influenza for anyone one year of age or older. It can also be used for prophylaxis (prevention) of influenza infection for patients thirteen and above. Tamiflu should not be given to children less than a year old.

Some experts have doubts Tamiflu will work during an influenza pandemic, fearing instead that viruses like H5N1 will quickly develop resistance. Recent reports of two patients in Vietnam who died from H5N1 despite being treated with Tamiflu have also led people to question the wisdom of stockpiling Tamiflu for a pandemic. The truth is, Tamiflu has never been tested during a pandemic, so it is unclear if - or how well - it will actually work in such a situation.

Can I get Tamiflu now?

Not likely. Tamiflu is not readily available for private purchase in Canada at this time. The manufacturer of the drug, Hoffman La Roche, has implemented a restriction on Tamiflu's availability, citing a shortage in supplies. Pharmacies and wholesalers are unable to order Tamiflu until the restriction is lifted. (There is very limited leftover stock of Tamiflu that remains available to the public.)

MORE: Avian flu resistance to Tamiflu renews stockpile concerns

How will I get Tamiflu during a pandemic?

In the event of a pandemic, Tamiflu will be available by prescription from your family doctor. Canadian supplies are limited. As outlined in the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan, the current priority groups include individuals already hospitalized for influenza or at high risk from related health complications, health care workers and essential service providers such as police, fire and ambulance personnel.

Can I put my name on a “pandemic list” for Tamiflu now?

No, there are no such public lists at this time.

Will we have enough antiviral drugs when a pandemic hits?

It is impossible to know. The need for antivirals will depend on the specific characteristics of the next pandemic virus, the spread and severity of illness, and the number of Canadians affected and the efficacy of the drug.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has made antiviral medications a key component of the national Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan and is stockpiling sixteen million doses of Tamiflu for use during a pandemic. Antivirals will be the first line of defence during the next pandemic, because it will take at least four to six months to make targeted vaccines.

As in other countries, priority lists will be established by Canada’s pandemic planners. Currently, the priority groups include individuals already hospitalized for influenza or at high risk from related health complications, health care workers and essential service providers such as police, fire and ambulance personnel.

Why can’t we just order more antivirals?

There is great international demand for Tamiflu. As a relatively new drug, it is still under patent, and is only manufactured by one company (Roche) at a single facility in Switzerland.

If a pandemic happens, governments will undoubtedly overide the patent, but for the immediate future obtaining more Tamiflu is not possible.

What sort of shelf life does Tamiflu have?

The true shelf life of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is somewhat uncertain. As a relatively new drug, it has not yet been stored for long periods of time. The manufacturer, Roche International in Basel, Switzerland sets the current shelf life at five years. They are currently testing to further increase the shelf life to six years.

All reserves of Tamiflu maintained in the National Stockpile System by the Public Health Agency of Canada, as part of the implementation of the Canadian Influenza Pandemic Plan, will be tested periodically to ensure the key ingredients remain effective.

MORE: If you have more questions about the avian flu and the predicted pandemic, see Your Questions Answered from the fifth estate’s special presentation, Black Dawn: The Next Pandemic.