In the midst of a wave of respiratory infections, an increase in the number of cases of influenza A, the antiviral drug Tamiflu is not available in most pharmacies, pharmacists explain the crisis by the fact that the calculation for this year is based on what happened in 2020 and 2021, pandemic years, when the demand for of these drugs was extremely low, precisely because there were no more cases of influenza A, as well as other viruses, due to the restrictions.

​The wave of respiratory infections – flu, viruses and SARS-CoV2 infections – makes the offices of family doctors and trauma centers of infectious diseases hospitals crowded these days. At the Matej Balsch Institute in the capital, the country’s No. 1 infectious disease hospital, the average daily number of people on call has reached 250, compared with 300 at the peak of the pandemic, he said. Dr. Adrian Marinescu, primary infectious disease physician and medical director of the hospital, told HotNews.ro.

Recently, the number of people being diagnosed with influenza A has been increasing. “Flu can certainly cause problems, and especially for those who are vulnerable, it can be very dangerous. We know very well that you can die from the flu,” says the doctor.

According to him, the treatment for influenza is the antiviral drug “Tamiflu”, which must be administered whenever there is a diagnosis of “flu”, even clinically, and as soon as possible.

Why Tamiflu is not available in pharmacies

However, it is very difficult to find the antiviral drug “Tamiflu” in pharmacies during this period.

Beatriz Speteanu, a pharmacist, explained to News.ro that this year’s estimate was based on what happened in 2020 and 2021, pandemic years, when the demand for these drugs was extremely low, precisely because due to the restrictions there were no more cases of influenza A, as well as with other viruses.

• “Unfortunately, Tamiflu is quite difficult to find now precisely because in past years the demand for Tamiflu was much smaller, almost non-existent.
• We can compare the demand now to the bird flu crisis about a decade ago, when everyone was looking for Tamiflu. Unfortunately, the same request is now warranted, as most prescriptions come with confirmed cases of influenza A.
• Every year, the medical company, manufacturer and warehouse calculate how many boxes they will bring to our country. Done quarterly and annually – this year we are asking for 1,000 boxes of Tamiflu based on previous years.
• If demand was very low in 2020-2021, the forecast for this year was just as low. It is very difficult to replenish medicines at the end of the year, when usually the suppliers and distributors have even finished their fiscal year and import year.
• For now, we have used the available stock. Fortunately, these drugs have an extremely long shelf life – there were boxes taken two years ago that had an expiry date of July 31, 2030. That’s why they are still in pharmacies, because they were able to stay available a year or two ago. “, explained Beatrice Speteanu, a pharmacist.

How much does Tamiflu cost?

How much does “Tamiflu” cost in pharmacies, how many capsules are in a box and what should be done by those who are in the risk group and who are in direct contact with patients with influenza type A?

There are ten capsules in the box. There is a children’s version of 30 milligrams and an adult version of 75 milligrams. The box contains a complete treatment for those with confirmed influenza type A. The treatment costs 78.40 lei for adults and 55 lei for children.

• “There is also a treatment option for those who have direct contact, which is half the dose from the box, one tablet taken every 24 hours for direct contacts who are at high risk.
• Prophylactic, if the patient is not vaccinated or is at risk. Otherwise, confirmation of influenza A or B virus infection is expected, and treatment must be started within 72 hours at the latest,” Beatriz Speteanu told News.ro.

Read also:A wave of respiratory infections fills hospitals: “We are approaching the number of patients who turned to the rapid peak of the pandemic” / Why we have such an aggressive season