Ad Feedback Stuff Home The Press News Kia ora, Guest[Settings] [Logout] [ sign in] Christchurch West Coast National World Politics Contact us Around the World Weather » Tamiflu prices vary widely in South Island pharmacies By HELEN MURDOCH - The Press Last updated 05:00 07/07/2009SharePrint Text Size Relevant offers Cost-conscious swine flu sufferers should shop around for the best Tamiflu deals, with prices ranging from $59.90 to $84 in South Island pharmacies.
An informal Press survey found the lowest prices at The Warehouse pharmacies in Nelson and Blenheim.
Reduced prices can generally be found in central city dispensaries, with rural pharmacies having higher prices.
The Warehouse pharmacy governance and operations manager Trevor Lloyd said the chain was selling Tamiflu at close to cost to raise awareness of its growing pharmacy section.
Gore residents are charged $84 at Quins Gore Unichem Pharmacy, although the price includes a mask.
Quins pharmacist Bernie McKone said pharmacies were allowed to sell unprescribed Tamiflu only to those arriving with flu symptoms.
The mask was included to protect staff.
Pharmacists are able to set their own prices on the unsubsidised medication.
The price range included $75 at the Akaroa Pharmacy, $70 at Nelson's Amcal Hurst and Taylor Pharmacy, $69 at Christchurch's Hillmorton Pharmacy, $75 at Greymouth's Mason's Pharmacy, $70 at the Methven Pharmacy, $67.70 at Christchurch's Kirk Rd, Templeton, Pharmacy and $80 at Motueka's Unichem Pharmacy.
Pharmacists say demand for Tamiflu has dropped in the past fortnight.
Dave Ross, of Motueka's Unichem Pharmacy, said people were now better informed about swine flu and were "over the hype".
"Commonsense has prevailed and people are aware that if they have symptoms they should call their GP," he said.
While flu sufferers do not need a doctor's prescription to buy Tamiflu, and can be assessed and sold the medication by pharmacists, they should not be out in public, he said.
Pharmacy Guild Canterbury branch president Mark Webster said people with symptoms were being told to go home and phone their health professional.
Sufferers can get free courses of Tamiflu with an endorsed GP's prescription verifying they have underlying health conditions and live in a known outbreak region.
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