wa private hospital, page-17

"I have the flu and asked the doc about Relenza. He said they were only perscribing Tamiflu, becuse you could get it for for free from the pandemic stockpile (which i did). Igot the impression that they were using up the tamiflu and saving the relenza for serious cases. Interestingly, the tamiflu packs were labled 'for pandemic use only'"

Some pharmacies stock govt (pandemic) supply. It is used for people eligible for antivirals under the govt criteria.

GPs (of which I'm one) are more likely to write a script for Tamiflu because Pharmacies are more likely to stock it. I don't want my patients fluffing around trying to get their hands on Relenza when none is in stock (remember the medication must be used within 48hrs of symptoms and the earlier the better).

I'm unsure if Pharmacies are authorised to supply Relenza / Tamiflu interchangably without asking a GP permission.