Services Database Supply of antivirals from community pharmacies during ‘out of season’ influenza outbreaks (BNSSG area)

All pharmacies registered with the GPhC and holding an NHS England contract should be able to
issue antivirals through this service, as long as they are able to do so in time for the patients to get
the dose within the required time. Where indicated, oseltamivir antiviral treatment for influenza
should be started as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours of onset of symptoms. Therefore
the process for clinical assessment and dispensing of antivirals needs to be completed in a very
timely fashion. Oseltamivir prophylaxis should be started within 48 hours of exposure to a case; or
after 48 hours on Public Health England (PHE) specialist advice only (36 hours if Zanamivir is
used).
It should be noted however that those pharmacies commissioned to provide the Specialist
Medicines LES should hold small stocks of antivirals.