Tamiflu shortage in pharmacies: high demand has depleted stocks
Pharmacies in the Republic of Moldova are facing an acute shortage of Tamiflu, the main antiviral used in the treatment of influenza, while the number of respiratory infections and flu cases is experiencing an alarming increase. The Medicines and Medical Devices Agency stated for Teleradio-Moldova that high demand led to the depletion of stocks earlier than expected.
According to the authorities, four antiviral medications with the active ingredient Oseltamivir are authorized in the Republic of Moldova: Tamiflu (original medication), Segosana, Oseltamivir Avexima, and Tamivir (generic medications). The last import, carried out in December, included 3000 boxes of Tamiflu and 624 boxes of Segosana, sufficient—according to initial estimates—to cover the demand until the end of March. However, the increase in the number of illnesses led to the rapid depletion of stocks.
The Medicines and Medical Devices Agency announces that the next batch of antivirals is expected at the end of February or the beginning of March.
We mention that last week, our country recorded almost 400 cases of seasonal flu, which means a 20 percent increase in the number of illnesses compared to the previous week. According to ANSP, most of the cases, about 73 percent, were reported in Chișinău. Also, the number of acute respiratory infections has also increased, with the majority being in children—about 60 percent. As of the beginning of the cold season, over two thousand flu cases were recorded.
