Demand for Tamiflu Surges
Image: YLE / Antti Eintola
Pharmacies report a sharp upswing in demand for the influenza medication Tamiflu. One of Tampere's biggest pharmacies, for instance, reports that sales have shot up tenfold since October.
Demand has particularly spiked in recent days, says pharmacist Katri Raitio at Yliopiston Apteekki. However there is no problem with supply, she says, noting that the pharmacy has ordered more.
There is also still high demand for seasonal flu shots, although this market usually peaks in October.
The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) says that large amounts of the antiviral drugs Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) have been ordered for Finland. The institute believes that the widespread use of these medicines should reduce the incidence of severe forms of illness that make those in risk groups particularly susceptible to complications.
In Finland, antivirals and antibiotics are sold only by prescription. There are no plans to bend on this principle, despite neighbouring Norway's recent decision to allow over-the-counter sales of Tamiflu.
YLE