TAMIFLU, the drug hailed around the world as being the most effective treatment for influenza-type illnesses like the influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu) virus, will soon be available - at no cost - through private and public medical institutions.

Giving assurances that Government was putting great effort into keeping swine flu at bay, Health Minister Jerry Narace said yesterday that there is Tamiflu for everyone and the drug will be distributed to all health practitioners who ask for it.

Narace was speaking at a press conference at his ministry’s Park Street, Port of Spain office, where he also reminded the public that although there is no need to panic, the illness is still ’a very serious threat’ and vigilance is necessary.

Also at yesterday’s press conference were Chief Medical Officer at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), Dr Helmer Hilwig, the Health Ministry’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Anton Cumberbatch, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) representative, Dr Carol Boyd-Scobie, the ministry’s Head of Medical Programmes Dr Kumar Sundaraneedi and epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds.

An alliance with the private medical sector, which Narace said will be ’formalised’ today, was the most significant change in the Government’s policy regarding management of the virus. It was previously advised that all suspected and confirmed cases must be handled by medical outlets of the Ministry of Health.

Private institutions now have the go ahead to treat all levels of infection - but the ministry must be kept up to date with the patients’ information, Narace said.

In addition, medical practitioners may also contact the ministry for supplies of Tamiflu and patients must obtain it from them. Infected patients who need it most will be given priority - hence the reason it will not be readily available from pharmacies, Narace said.

’There is enough for the nation. I want to emphasise that the drug is free and at no time should a patient be charged for it,’ Narace said.

He also said that negotiations for a supply of vaccines are now closing with PAHO.

’About 250,000 vaccines are expected around the middle of November,’ he said.

Dr Boyd-Scobie later said people in high-risk groups, such as the obese, the infirm and those with compromised immune systems should negotiate with their doctors for vaccines.

’Vaccines are not to be confused with Tamiflu,’ Boyd-Scobie said.

Trinidad and Tobago has so far recorded 163 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus, with four deaths in the past few weeks.

Narace said yesterday that all the fatalities were people who had been admitted for treatment at the later stages of the illness and who had other health issues, while the other cases had been successfully treated.

Nevertheless, he has ordered a probe into the deaths and said he expects a report shortly. The minister denied, however, any suspicion of neglect and said he will reserve judgement until the probe is complete.

Addressing concerns that testing in the public health institutions was not up to mark, Hilwig said a test result was ’not the Holy Grail’ and should merely act as a guide for the doctor. Doctors should use their discretion in assessing the symptoms of a patient and should not put off acting while they wait for a test result, he said

’Doctors must be able to decide without a test result and they should be treating the symptoms in the meantime,’ Hilwig said, adding that the public health labs should not be bogged down with testing.

It is important that Tamiflu be given by a doctor, he said, and that patients be well-informed, as the drug can cause side-effects like nausea, dizziness, headache and coughing - all symptoms of the actual illness.

Cumberbath also denied claims by some members of the public that the Trinidad Public Health Laboratory was being shut down on weekends, leaving testing of suspected cases on hold for days.

’The door may be closed but I assure you there is work going on inside,’ Cumberbatch said.

Narace and the panel also continued to plead with the public to do its part in prevention by observing proper hygiene and by staying healthy through proper diet, exercise and the recommended daily amount of vitamins.

About Tamiflu

Tamiflu is a prescription medication used to treat the influenza, or ’flu’, virus in its early stages. It can shorten the duration of the flu if taken as soon as symptoms start, but will not cure the common cold.

Tamiflu is not a vaccine but, in some cases where a vaccine is not available, it can be used by a doctor as a preventive agent in those who have been exposed to the virus.

Use of the drug is not specific to ’swine flu’, as it has been used against influenza-type viruses like the avian influenza or ’bird’ flu. The drug is approved for adults and children over 12 months of age, but cannot be taken by patients with an allergy to the active ingredient, oseltamivir phosphate.

While the previous global medical position was that the drug is not to be taken by women who are nursing or pregnant and children under 12 months, in April 2009, certain medical organisations agreed that the benefits outweighed the risks and the drug was approved for use by these high risk groups. Patients with kidney disease, heart disease, respiratory disease or any other serious health condition are also at risk from the use of this drug.

All dissemination of this drug must be done by a qualified medical practitioner.

(Source: US Food and Drug Administration)