Getting Your Hands On  a little Tamiflu (Feb. 22, 2006)

Some pharmacies across the Tennessee Valley, and in fact across the whole USA claim they can not keep Tamiflu in stock.  This is bad news keeping in mind that the peak of flu season is still about 3 to 4 weeks away.  Many of you might be asking yourselves why the shortage so soon?  Some doctors claim that it is due to the fact that other countries may need the popular prescription flu medicine more than the U.S.  Countries suffering from outbreaks of the deadly Avian flu take priority over others with international supplies. There are two types of Tamiflu on the market today, liquid and capsules. Pharmacists claim that the liquid form of Tamiflu is the hardest to find.  Tamiflu is used to treat adults, adolescents, and babies one year and older.  Despite the shortage of Tamiflu, a few local pharmacies still have it in stock.  Access Family, Target, Bi-Lo and Wal-Mart have the medicine at most locations. Eckerd pharmacy may run out toward the end of the day, but getting a new supply is not a problem. Walgreen's seems to be completely out. Some online Pharmacies also have a supply of Tamiflu but the majority of them seems to be also out of stock, due to the unexpected high international demand and some limitations on supply.