Tamiflu Supply Gets Bump Across Canada
With Canada experiencing its worst flu season in years, its Public Health Agency reports that it is releasing an emergency supply of Tamiflu to doctors to help them treat those who have been most severely impacted by the virus.
According to CTV News, many doctors in the country had previously complained that supplies of Tamiflu, an antiviral medication which is most often used to treat the most severe flu cases, have been running dangerously low.
Luckily, The Public Health Agency of Canada has aan emergency stockpile system of the life-saving drug which it is now releasing to the manufacturer, Roche Canada, for proper distribution to healthcare facilities and doctors nationwide.
A new shipment of the drug from Roche Canada had been anticipated to happen sometime in February, but that might prove to be too late for those already impacted by severe flu symptoms which can often result in fatalities. Supplies of Tamiflu are especially needed to treat those most vulnerable, including the elderly and young childen.
In a statement, Roche Canada said the “unexpectedly severe” flu season has led to “greater than normal demand” for Tamiflu.
The company said it ordered additional units of the antiviral medication as soon as early reports showed an increase in flu cases last month. It said it’s “actively working to address the needs of priority patient populations, specifically hospitals and nursing homes with a confirmed outbreak.”
“This exceptional action will be taken to ensure Tamiflu remains available to those Canadians who need it until the manufacturer replenishes its supply with a new shipment expected in February,” PHAC said in a news release.
Tamiflu has perfected a brillant marketing scam..They yearly have “shortages” to get the media and everyone all frothy thinking its an effective drug, meanwhile, they refuse to release clinical trial data on the drug and have angered scientists so much in Europe that they have called for a ban on Roche products until they come clean with their “evidence” of efficacy. Hmm we are still waiting…Like the flu vaccine, this is an overpromoted tool of fear mongering that offers alot of tongue wagging with no substance.
Flu free, That is the best message anyone can send! I’ve worked in public health and dealt with the Canadian publics objection to the flu vaccine because of google related myths i.e. autism, Gullian barre. I have also had close friends lose parents recently attributed to the flu. We need to be unselfish in the protection of the public, we are not just guarding our health but those closest to us. Other countries notably the United Kingdom and the United States pay for flu shots and have better immunization rates. In Canada it’s a free initiative, so what’s the objection to saving the life of another?