Central Indiana seeing shortage in Tamiflu

LEBANON, Ind. (WISH) — Cowan Pharmacy in Lebanon has eight doses of Tamiflu in stock.  

 Luann Cowan, one of the owners of the pharmacy, says when she asked distributors about stocking back up, they told her the supply is limited. 

“That usually happens every year as soon as the flu breaks. They just don’t seem to be able to keep up,” she said.   

The Centers for Disease Control is reporting there are no major nationwide shortages right now, but there are what they call “spot shortages” in some regions.

“Usually when that starts then it snowballs and the ones that they do have get sold out and then there is a shortage,” Cowan said.

Dr. Christopher Huffer, of Witham Hospital, says two people have been admitted to the hospital in the week with the flu.

He says even though Tamiflu is usually most effective within the first 48 hours to treat flu symptoms, having the right medication can make all the difference for people who need it the most.

“Patients that have severe lung disease or suppressed immune systems where they would be high risk of being hospitalized with the flu or even die,” Dr. Huffer said. “Those are the ones you want to make sure you have it for.” 

According to Dr. Huffer, there’s a shortage specifically with the liquid Tamiflu, used to treat children.

Cowan says the current supply in central Indiana is solid for another 10 days, maybe two weeks.

She says after that, Tamflu will be tough, if not impossible to get.

Dr. Huffer adds that while he hopes flu activity season tapers off in the next couple months, as the season comes to a close, the best advice for people worried about getting sick, is to get the vaccine.