Swine Flu in the UK - Obtaining Medication
As the H1N1 Pandemic Spreads, Tamiflu is Made Available Publicly
Jul 30, 2009
Over the past few weeks in Britain, the government have unveiled a telephone line dedicated to dispensing Tamiflu, the drug which is apparently the only treatment for the swine flu pandemic. Presumably, their aim is to prevent too many NHS staff being trampled beneath the trotters of the infected mob.
With this unprecedented new system, anyone who thinks they feel sudden fever, coughing or pig-like snorting can contact a central call centre, where an operator will ask them a string of questions, aimed at discovering whether they really do have the disease.
Is Dispensing Medication by Telephone Really Wise?
If the caller's answers are thought to prove infection, they receive an authorisation number, which a "flu friend" can use to pick up Tamiflu from a collection point on their behalf. A similar process is available online in a questionnaire format. Cynics have pointed out that people will answer the questions with whatever they think is most likely to get them the drugs. Reports have already emerged of pills being gained from the hotline and immediately appearing on eBay.
More worrying still, doctors have commented that, by making Tamiflu relatively freely available, it will hasten the speed with which the virus develops immunity to it. Peter Dunnill, a professor of biochemical engineering at University College London, told the Mail On Sunday that he felt this was "inevitable" with the current widespread use of the drug, but there was "very little we can do to go back" on existing plans.
Criticism has also come regarding the rushed manner in which the line was set up. Lord Sutherland, chariman of the Lord's science and technology committee, commented to the BBC that he was "not convinced there was good long-term planning going on," and that the new service was set up with "a hop, a skip and a jump." In particular, a much more widespread outbreak is expected in Autumn, although upgrades to the hotline are expected by then.
Tamiflu Available for Sale Online
Like everything wanted by the public yet restricted by the government, Tamiflu has found its way onto the black side of the market. This has led to the surreal situation of spam emails offering both Viagra (Get a bigger erection!) and Tamiflu (Save yourself from a horrible death!) side to side.
These websites apparently have to offer some form of consultation before the buyer can order, but it’s often not even as vigorous as the government hotline. More or less, the only question is “Do you have swine flu?” (Or “Do you have problems with your genitalia?”)
If comparisons are to be drawn between the two methods of distribution, at least government-released Tamiflu is almost certainly the real thing. Buy from dubious websites and it could well be nothing more than a painkiller dipped in food colouring, not to mention the need to pay, whereas the government helpline costs nothing.
Indeed, even with the government practically giving it away, Tamiflu is still making good money, both online and on the streets. One undercover report for the Mail On Sunday successfully purchased two boxes of the drug in a car park from a member of the public who had obtained them from the hotline. It appears that any restriction, no matter how cursory, will give birth to some kind of underground trade.
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