Menu
27/07/2009
Tamiflu Prescribed For First Time
An antiviral drug is now being dispensed in NI for the first time.
As more people are falling ill with suspected swine flu, Tamiflu is going to patients who present with symptoms.
Local reports indicate that some Belfast pharmacists had just dispensed their first prescription and that others were also starting to see 'scripts from GPs being presented as well.
Current guidelines were for people who fell ill to stay home, stay warm and consult their doctor by telephone.
If the doctor then felt there was a need, they would then prescribe antivirals, which the pharmacy would then supply.
People with underlying health problems, pregnant women, diabetics, asthmatics, babies and the elderly are considered to be at a higher risk and will probably be given the drugs as a matter of course.
Other cases will be judged on an individual basis but all will be treated free no matter if they normally pay for their prescriptions or not.
The pharmacy is then required to report each prescription supplied to the relevant health board, so it can keep track of stocks of antiviral drugs as well as suspected incidences of the flu.
However, after initial confusion, potential swine flu sufferers in Northern Ireland are being urged not to use the National Pandemic Flu Service, which is only for people living in England.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Elizabeth Mitchell said: "Any person from Northern Ireland who goes to their pharmacy with an authorisation number (from the Flu Service) will not be given antivirals.
"The current numbers of GP consultations in Northern Ireland for flu are still relatively low."
Dr Mitchell said the present arrangements, in which people consult their GP, remained the best and most appropriate way to get treatment to anyone who needs it.
"Northern Ireland will be able to use the National Pandemic Flu Service if the need arises at a later date."
This follows near chaos as the National Pandemic Flu Service site crashed within minutes of launching on Thursday.
The Government later admitted it was having to increase capacity due to demand.
Meanwhile, the total number of swine flu cases in Northern Ireland has now reached 58 but there have been no related deaths.
See: Swine Flu Phone Service Revealed
(BMcC/KMcA)
As more people are falling ill with suspected swine flu, Tamiflu is going to patients who present with symptoms.
Local reports indicate that some Belfast pharmacists had just dispensed their first prescription and that others were also starting to see 'scripts from GPs being presented as well.
Current guidelines were for people who fell ill to stay home, stay warm and consult their doctor by telephone.
If the doctor then felt there was a need, they would then prescribe antivirals, which the pharmacy would then supply.
People with underlying health problems, pregnant women, diabetics, asthmatics, babies and the elderly are considered to be at a higher risk and will probably be given the drugs as a matter of course.
Other cases will be judged on an individual basis but all will be treated free no matter if they normally pay for their prescriptions or not.
The pharmacy is then required to report each prescription supplied to the relevant health board, so it can keep track of stocks of antiviral drugs as well as suspected incidences of the flu.
However, after initial confusion, potential swine flu sufferers in Northern Ireland are being urged not to use the National Pandemic Flu Service, which is only for people living in England.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Elizabeth Mitchell said: "Any person from Northern Ireland who goes to their pharmacy with an authorisation number (from the Flu Service) will not be given antivirals.
"The current numbers of GP consultations in Northern Ireland for flu are still relatively low."
Dr Mitchell said the present arrangements, in which people consult their GP, remained the best and most appropriate way to get treatment to anyone who needs it.
"Northern Ireland will be able to use the National Pandemic Flu Service if the need arises at a later date."
This follows near chaos as the National Pandemic Flu Service site crashed within minutes of launching on Thursday.
The Government later admitted it was having to increase capacity due to demand.
Meanwhile, the total number of swine flu cases in Northern Ireland has now reached 58 but there have been no related deaths.
See: Swine Flu Phone Service Revealed
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 January 2011
Winter Health Pressures 'Under Control'
Even though swine flu levels are on the rise, NI's health service professionals are dealing effectively with winter pressures. Michael McGimpsey, the Stormont Health Minister has hit back at claims that the current pressures being faced by the Health and Social Care service are not being managed properly.
Winter Health Pressures 'Under Control'
Even though swine flu levels are on the rise, NI's health service professionals are dealing effectively with winter pressures. Michael McGimpsey, the Stormont Health Minister has hit back at claims that the current pressures being faced by the Health and Social Care service are not being managed properly.
12 January 2011
Extra Flu Jabs Allocated To NI
NI's supply of 'normal' seasonal flu vaccine is being supplemented by stocks of the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine, to meet increased demand, it emerged yesterday. Over 410,000 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine, which offers protection against swine flu and other circulating viruses such as Influenza B, have already been distributed to GPs and Trusts.
Extra Flu Jabs Allocated To NI
NI's supply of 'normal' seasonal flu vaccine is being supplemented by stocks of the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine, to meet increased demand, it emerged yesterday. Over 410,000 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine, which offers protection against swine flu and other circulating viruses such as Influenza B, have already been distributed to GPs and Trusts.
29 January 2010
Latest Swine Flu Tragedy Reported
While GP consultation rates for the flu have continued to fall, - down 36% - with rates remaining well below the Northern Ireland threshold for seasonal influenza activity, there has been another swine flu related fatality.
Latest Swine Flu Tragedy Reported
While GP consultation rates for the flu have continued to fall, - down 36% - with rates remaining well below the Northern Ireland threshold for seasonal influenza activity, there has been another swine flu related fatality.
15 January 2010
Flu Pandemic 'Exaggerated'
Northern Ireland's latest swine flu figures are still on the way down.
Flu Pandemic 'Exaggerated'
Northern Ireland's latest swine flu figures are still on the way down.
08 January 2010
Swine Flu Claims Latest NI Victim
There has been another fatality from swine flu with yesterday's Department of Health's weekly flu bulletin revealing a further flu related death. This brings the total to 17, as at 6 January, officially - although two other local people have died outside NI from the virus.
Swine Flu Claims Latest NI Victim
There has been another fatality from swine flu with yesterday's Department of Health's weekly flu bulletin revealing a further flu related death. This brings the total to 17, as at 6 January, officially - although two other local people have died outside NI from the virus.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:This evening will be dry. The rest of the night will remain mainly dry with a good deal of cloud. A little rain reaching the far west later. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
