Pharmacist warns of anti-flu drug resistance

BANGKOK, Aug 3 (TNA) – A senior pharmacist warned Monday that prescriptions of the anti-flu drug Oseltamivir at clinics may lead to drug resistance, and advised that clinics should refer children’s cases to hospitals immediately on diagnosis.

Asst Prof Dr Nityada Kiartyingangsuree, chair of the Regulatory Committee for Medicinal System Development, said at the panel’s meeting on Monday that distribution of the front line anti-flu drug Oseltamivir to clinics can pose major complications for the public as the Ministry of Public Health has no information on medicine storage and consumption for patients but it has advise only for doctors.

Dr Nityada, who also heads the Chulalongkorn University Social Pharmacy Research Unit said the anti-viral drug can cause the virus to develop resistance to the drug if patients fail to take it on time or finish a required course.

The capsules must be stored at the temperature between 15-25 degrees Celsius.  Liquid formulation of Oseltamivir must be kept in amber glass bottles. Parents have to shake the bottle before dispensing the liquid drug for their children.  

The liquid medication must not be mixed with milk for children to drink as it can reduce the effectiveness of the drug, she said.

Speaking of distributing Oseltamivir to 150 clinics in the central province of Ratchaburi, she said it’s a burden for doctors (at clinics) to spend more time for diagnosis and that clinics lack pharmacists to prepare the liquid formulation of Oseltamivir for young patients. She advised that children having fallen ill be sent to hospitals. (TNA)