NHS Swindon is urging the public not to stockpile antiviral drugs that are used to treat swine flu. This is in response to the National Pandemic Flu Service hotline and internet site which was launched yesterday. Joint Director of Public Health at NHS Swindon and Swindon Borough Council, Jenny Harries, has asked the public to use commonsense and to be sensible.

She said: “We are asking people to only request antiviral drugs if they genuinely think they have swine flu. I want to reassure people that we have enough antiviral drugs for everyone in Swindon, so people do not need to panic and stockpile with Tamiflu. If you suspect that you have swine flu, please use the new service to check your symptoms. Flu medication, including Tamiflu, can have side affects and people should not take it unnecessarily.”

Dr Harries said that those people with underlying medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neurological disease, immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment), diabetes mellitus, patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years and pregnant women still need to contact their GP. In response to the spread of the virus, the Department of Health has set up a National Pandemic Flu Service hotline.

If a patient’s symptoms suggest they have swine flu, they will be given a unique number. The unique number is then given to the patient’s flu friend, who can use it to obtain the antiviral from the nearest pharmacy collection point. The flu friend will need to bring identification of themselves and the patient, such as a driving license or utility bill to collect the antiviral.

Dr Harries added: “If you are symptomatic with swine flu, please stay at home and check your symptoms online or by phone.

“We are urging people not to go to Accident & Emergency or their GP, as this could risk infecting others unnecessarily. The flu line has been launched to treat people easily and efficiently. The majority of people who have had swine flu have made a fast recovery, and as with normal seasonal flu, many people will be up and about within 24 hours, feeling much better.”

The flu service line is open from 8am to midnight.