MDG clarifies policies on anti-viral drugs Published Oct. 29, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 72nd Medical Group would like to clarify its policies concerning the use and distribution of anti-virals to combat both seasonal and H1N1 influenza. As mentioned in a previous article, Tinker's Flu Clinic follows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's clinical guidelines on the prescription of anti-viral drugs. This means that individuals must meet certain medical criteria before a prescription is written. If they meet the clinical definition, the prescription can be filled by the 72nd MDG pharmacy without issue. However, prescriptions written off base for antivirals will not be filled at the Tinker clinic. As of Oct. 21, the CDC continues to recommend that otherwise healthy individuals with uncomplicated influenza that appear to be recovering from influenza do not need antivirals, such as Tamiflu. All clinics (military or otherwise) should be following these guidelines to prevent a shortage of antiviral drugs as was recently seen in the Oklahoma City area. Judicious prescription of these medications also reduces the chance that the current flu strains become resistant the antiviral drugs. It should also be noted that while the H1N1 virus appears to be more easily spread, the severity of the illness is less than traditional forms of seasonal flu. President Obama declared a national emergency last week in an effort to ease bureaucratic restrictions on federal help. Administration officials have said the move is "not tied to the current case counts" and "gives the federal government more power to help states" by lifting bureaucratic requirements -- both in treating patients and moving equipment to where it's most needed. As a reminder, the 72nd Medical Group has established a separate Flu Clinic for beneficiaries and retirees. The clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Patients wishing to visit the clinic need to phone the clinic appointment line first. The clinic is located in the Med Group's old Orthopedic Clinic near the pharmacy and is open to all active duty, dependents and retirees Information on initial stocks of the H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive shortly from the state. The 72nd MDG anticipates the vaccine will come in slowly and in small amounts initially. More information will be forthcoming.