While CDC silent on Tamiflu hoarding, IDSA speaks out
So, Tamiflu. People who had never heard of the drug last year now want to have their own personal stock, as it's the one drug that has been shown to be effective against H5N1. Last week, Tamiflu manufacturer Roche announced that it was suspending shipments of the drug to the U.S.,, in an effort to decrease hoarding and make sure that enough of the drug would be available for those who actually needed it during this year's flu season. And while the CDC has had little to say on the hoarding matter, other organizations have started to speak out.
(IDSA=Infectious Disease Society of America).
(Emphasis mine). More info at the link.
(IDSA=Infectious Disease Society of America).
Dear Colleagues,
In response to requests for guidance from our members, policymakers, and the public, IDSA and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America have developed the following position statement on antiviral stockpiling for influenza preparedness.
We advocate a national stockpile with minimum treatment courses for at least 25 percent or ideally 40 percent of the U.S. population. We advocate health care institutional reserves to improve local access for treatment of affected populations, but not prophylaxis of health care workers given the current shortage of antiviral drugs. We discourage personal stockpiles. We want to remind the public that there are a number of other steps that individuals can take to protect themselves against seasonal or pandemic influenza, including cough etiquette, hand-washing, and annual influenza vaccination.
This policy statement will require continuous refinement as events change. We will continue to use IDSA’s website and e-mail alerts to keep our members apprised.
The Society owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the Pandemic Influenza Task Force, who drafted the statement: Kathleen Maletic Neuzil, MD, MPH, Chair; Kathryn M. Edwards, MD; David S. Fedson, MD; Frederick Hayden, MD; Edward N. Janoff, MD; Andrew T. Pavia, MD; and Gregory A. Poland, MD.
Sincerely,
Martin J. Blaser, MD
IDSA President
(Emphasis mine). More info at the link.
