The Department of Health (DH) has given GPs the go-ahead to prescribe antivirals on the NHS for certain patient groups, but warned pharmacists not to over-order the medicines.

GPs should prescribe antiviral drugs for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza at NHS expense as the latest surveillance data had shown patients with influenza-like symptoms were likely to be infected with the virus, the DH said in a letter to health professionals on Tuesday (January 27).

Those who were eligible for the medicines were patients in the at-risk groups, including pregnant women and the over 65s, as well as those under 65 who were at risk of developing medical complications from influenza if they weren't treated, the letter stressed.     

Pharmacists can only dispense antiviral medicines if the prescriptions are endorsed with SLS, the DH said	More on influenza MPs warn government to hold fire on Tamiflu Councillors back London pharmacies' flu vaccination services Pharmacists should highlight uptake gaps to secure flu jab services
	However, the letter, written jointly by England's chief medical officer Sally Davies and chief pharmaceutical officer Keith Ridge, urged pharmacists not to over-order because it could result in stock shortages. The DH was in "regular contact" with manufacturers and wholesalers to ensure a smooth supply of antiviral medication, they said.

Antiviral medicines could only be prescribed in primary care once the DH has notified prescribers that it was "clinically appropriate" to do so, according to NHS England's Flu Plan published in July last year.

But pharmacists could only dispense antivirals including oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) if the prescriptions were endorsed with the letters SLS to show they were on the selected list scheme, the DH said.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which is not licensed for children under one, could be prescribed on the judgment of the practitioner, the letter pointed out. The liquid form should be restricted for children under one, it said.

The letter also urged health professionals to "strive" towards increasing the uptake of the seasonal flu vaccine among at-risk patients and primary healthcare workers.