DOH: Enough medicine vs avian flu

MANILA, Philippines - With the threat of H7N9 avian flu spreading in Asia, the Department of Health (DOH) assured the public yesterday that there are still stockpiles of ozeltamivir (Tamiflu) in case the virus enters the country.

DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said while some batches of ozeltamivir had already expired, there are more that could be used.

“We still have stockpiles. We will buy more, it depends (on the situation),” Tayag said. 

When the avian flu started spreading in 2009 in some countries, the DOH ordered the medicine as a precautionary measure.

However, a recent Commission on Audit (COA) report showed some P17.5 million worth of medicine procured by the DOH in 2012 and the previous years had expired.

The DOH said of the amount, P5,613,700 was used for buying 58,450 ozeltamivir capsules in 2009, which were given to the DOH office in Bicol where there were reported cases of avian flu.

The agency explained that the stockpiles of the medicine were bought in preparation for possible outbreak of influenza-like H5N1 avian flu.

“Fortunately, due to early and immediate intervention of the DOH, the outbreak was contained,” the department said.