NHS Direct Medicines Fact Sheet Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) Fact Sheets are intended as supplements to the NHS Direct approved electronic medicines information sources offering practical advice and selected facts that the NHS Direct Advisor may have difficulty in locating. The core NHS Direct electronic medicines information sources must be consulted for detailed information on indications, warnings, contraindications, doses, adverse effects and interactions in accordance with the National Policy on Handling Medicines Calls (NP005). General information Tamiflu® is an antiviral medicine that helps you fight the flu but it is not a cure or a vaccine. It does not kill the H1N1 Swine flu virus and it does not give you immunity against infection. Flu viruses spread by entering your body, taking over healthy cells and forcing them to make copies itself. When complete, the copies try to infect other cells nearby or are sneezed or coughed out in to the air to infect other people. Tamiflu® stops the flu virus entering your cells and blocks the release of the new copies – slowing down the spread through your body, reducing the symptoms and the length of time that you feel unwell for, as well as making it harder for the infection to spread to other people (1,2). Tamiflu® should be started within 12-48hrs of symptoms appearing but it works best the sooner it is started (2,3). Oseltamivir is not a penicillin, sulpha-drug or any other type of antibiotic. In some circumstances the close contacts of symptomatic cases may be eligible but the Department of Health’s policy from the 2nd of July means this is no longer routine (see “Restrictions on use”) (3). People with impaired immune systems: Despite the statement in the Summary of Product Characteristics that says the safety and effectiveness of Tamiflu® in these patients has not been established, people with impaired immune systems are at greater risk of catching influenza and suffering serious complications. Therefore, treatment and in some situations prevention of influenza with Tamiflu® is recommended (3-6). Contraindications People allergic to oseltamivir or any of Tamiflu’s® excipients (1). (People who are allergic to penicillins, “sulpha”, “sulpha drugs”, or other antibiotics can take Tamiflu®). Restrictions on use Infection Prevention: On the 2nd of July the Department of Health changed its Swine flu policy from one of containment to treatment (7). This means that antiviral medicines will no longer be routinely used to prevent infection of close contacts but reserved to treat people who are already ill, or to prevent infection in those who are at risk of severe complications if they became ill. The Health Protection Agency gives details of who might be eligible for prevention doses as well as examples of close contacts (3). As the virus is now widespread and people will be repeatedly exposed, the limited supplies of antiviral medicines will be used to reduce the symptoms and prevent complications in those who are already ill rather than trying to prevent further spread in the general population (7). Indications and supply Tamiflu® is a prescription only medicine (POM) available on the NHS without charge for those who have confirmed or likely flu infection (1). Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 1 of 9 The decision to give prevention courses will be made by the GP on a case by case basis usually after consultation with an appropriate expert. The decision will be based on an assessment of the likely consequences the person will face if they were to catch Swine flu if they belong to a “higher risk” group. Higher risk patients include those with long term lung, heart, Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3 kidney or liver disease, those with suppressed immune systems (whether by medicines or illness), people with diabetes, children under 5 years, adults over 65 years, pregnant women, people with long-term neurological disease and those with asthma that has needed treatment with medicines in the last three years. Full details can be found in Appendix 1 of the HPA’s Treatment Summary (3). Anyone who thinks they need prevention doses should to speak to their GP or specialist. Warnings, cautions, interactions with drugs and food Cautions: Most people can take Tamiflu® if requied, but people with severe kidney disease will need a reduced dose (1) and are advised to discuss options with their renal specialist (3). No important interactions with medicines or food have yet been identified (1,8). Patients can take Tamiflu® with their regular medicines and don’t need to avoid any foods or juices – including grapefruit juice. Ibuprofen, paracetamol and antibiotics are safe to take with Tamiflu® (8). care, patients taking Warfarin: Tamiflu® is not thought to interact with warfarin, but to be safe people who have to take a course while they are on warfarin should (as always) be vigilant for warfarin side effects. The most important sideeffects are listed in the “Yellow Book”, properly known as the “Oral Anticoagulant Therapy. Important information for patients” book which all warfarin patients should have. Side-effects that need medical attention include: nose bleeds for longer than ten minutes, blood in vomit, faeces, urine or sputum, severe bruising or bruising without any particular physical cause. Headache is listed but unfortunately it is also an effect of the flu Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 2 of 9 HIV Medicines: The Liverpool HIV Pharmacology Group has suggested that some HIV medicines might boost the levels of Tamiflu® (12). Tamiflu® has been associated with headache, insomnia and possibly hallucinations and fits, and it is thought these adverse effects might be linked to high levels of Tamiflu® in the brain. But it is hard to know if these side-effects are due to an interaction between Tamiflu and HIV medicines or whether they are just part of having the flu. Until more information is available (i.e. until more people taking HIV medicines have used Tamiflu) patients taking HIV medicines who also need Tamiflu® should have been informed of the possibility. Patients taking HIV medicines who also have kidney disease should discuss their options with their HIV and kidney specialists (3,12). If in doubt refer the call to UKMi or the caller back to their specialist. Common side-effects Interactions: Although the manufacturer recommends methotrexate can take Tamiflu® (1,10). (11). People who take warfarin and have been prescribed Tamiflu® by the Flu Helpline should inform their GPs or warfarin clinic as soon as possible. Most people tolerate Tamiflu® very well but its most common side-effects are also among those you can expect with the flu. During the first one or two days, nausea and/or vomiting occur in about 11% (11 in 100) of people who take Tamiflu®. Stomach ache and headache are reported in about 2% (2 in 100) (1). The manufacturer says that these side-effects usually stop as treatment progresses so encourage people to complete their courses (1). Taking or giving Tamiflu® with food may help with the nausea. If people are having problems with the taste, see the section “Dose and dosage forms” for advice on how to mix the capsule contents with food and NHS Direct’s view on the use of Ribena® in children. As Tamiflu® is a new medicine the MHRA has requested that all adverse effects are reported via the “Yellow Card Scheme”. Encourage people who are having difficulty with side-effects to complete a special “Swine flu Yellow Card Report” online at: http://swineflu.mhra.gov.uk. It should only Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3 take 15 minutes. Note that this is not the usual Yellow Card Reporting site but a special one set up specifically for Swine flu medicine reports. Less-common, rare and unknown frequency side-effects Information about less common side-effects has come from the follow up of about 2000 adults and 1000 children who received treatment courses and 3000 adults and 100 children who received prevention courses of Tamiflu® during clinical studies (1). Many of the adverse effects listed are common to influenza and it can be difficult to say with certainty whether they are due to the illness or the oseltamivir. Figures from the patients who received prevention doses may give a clearer picture but the number of people studied is small. When discussing the less common side-effects (even if they are listed here or in another information source) remember the MHRA Swine flu Yellow Card website and encourage people to make a report. The information from these reports is important for getting a better idea of the adverse effect profile of Tamiflu® and oseltamivir. A list of the less common, rare or unknown frequency adverse effects listed in the Summary of Product Characteristics follows: (1). Respiratory: bronchitis, pneumonia, other undefined respiratory tract infections, cough, worsening of asthma Ear, Nose and Throat: dizziness (vertigo), sinusitis, runny nose, bleeding nose, ear ache Psychiatric: hallucinations, delirium, confusion, anxiety, bad dreams, agitation, non-typical behaviour (not defined) Nervous system: insomnia, fatigue, pain (not defined), fits (convulsions) Gastrointestinal: diarrhoea, acid reflux (heart burn) Skin: dermatitis, rash, eczema, urticaria (red wheals on skin), StevensJohnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, angioneurotic oedema, erythema multiforme Blood and lymphatic: enlarged lymph nodes Eye: conjunctivitis, changes in vision (not defined) Liver and Kidney: hepatitis and raised liver enzymes. Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 3 of 9 Time to effect Tamiflu® reduces the duration of symptoms by one to two days (2). Driving, machinery and alcohol Taking Tamiflu® should not further impair a person’s ability to drive or operate machinery. Tamiflu® is not expected to enhance the sedative effects of alcohol (1). With or without food? Taking with food can reduce the stomach upsets seen in the first one or two days of treatment, otherwise timing with food is not important (1). Vomiting after a dose Oseltamivir is absorbed quite quickly but the manufacturer advises taking Tamiflu® with food (even a snack) as it reduces the chances of feeling or being sick after a dose (9,13,14). It is not possible to be certain, but if you vomit more than 30 minutes after taking a dose then it is likely that most of the Tamiflu® will have been absorbed. The first 48hrs of Tamiflu® are the most important. If you or your child vomits very soon after a dose (within 30 minutes) then wait quarter of an hour and take (or give) another dose. Only repeat the dose once. If you or your child vomits again, wait until the next dose is due before having any more. Your capsules will run out early but remember the first 48 hours are the most important. Taking and extra dose by mistake Taking an extra dose it is unlikely to do any harm (1,15). People may feel a bit sick but that is a common side-effect of Tamiflu®. Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3 Forgetting a dose If you forget a dose, do not double the next dose. Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember as long as the next one is not due in a few hours. If the next dose is due in a few hours then just carry on as you are supposed to – don’t take any “catch-up” doses (16). Pregnancy and breastfeeding Excipients The Tamiflu® capsule shell contains gelatin (1) which is commonly obtained from animal (bovine/beef) sources. If people do not want to take the Tamiflu® capsules because of the gelatin, refer to the section “Tamiflu® Capsules: Opening the capsules and masking the flavour” for advice. No lactose is present in the capsule core (1). Pregnancy: Pregnant women aren’t any more likely to catch the flu but they seem to be at greater risk of complications if they do (3). The Department of Health has decided that Relenza® (zanamivir) is the antiviral of first choice for the treatment and prevention of influenza during pregnancy. Because Relenza® is inhaled; only low levels appear in the blood posing less risk to a pregnancy than Tamiflu®. As the benefits gained by taking an antiviral outweigh the risks, Tamiflu® can be used if Relenza® is otherwise contraindicated or medical opinion deems it to be the better choice (17). Although there is very little information about the safety of Tamiflu ® in human pregnancy, animal studies do not suggest there is a risk to the foetus. Influenza during pregnancy can lead to pneumonia in the mother and infection might pose a risk to the unborn baby. Although Relenza® is first choice, Tamiflu® can be used in pregnancy if necessary (18,19). Breastfeeding: The Department of Health has decided that Tamiflu® is the antiviral of choice for the treatment and prevention of influenza in women who are breastfeeding (17). Very small amounts pass into the breast milk but not enough to cause concern. Breastfeeding can continue as normal while taking Tamiflu® (20) Enteral feeding tubes Tamiflu® can be given via feeding tubes (e.g. nasogastric, PEG) but it may require the use of special mixing techniques and syrup vehicles (21). Refer these enquires to UKMi. Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 4 of 9 Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3 Dose and dosage forms Post exposure prevention (prophylaxis) and treatment doses and course lengths differ. Doses for children under the age of 13 years are based on body weight. If the weight if the child is not known, then dose according to age (22). Infants under one year will be given liquid doses. As the capsules can be opened and the contents mixed with food, toddlers, children and adults will be given capsules (22). The powder tastes very bitter and experience has shown that unless the flavour is disguised with blackcurrant juice or chocolate syrup young children often refuse further doses. See the section that follows on Tamiflu® Capsules for advice on how parents can best disguise the flavour of the powder. Age if weight not known (22) Adults and children over 13 years 7 years and under 13 years 3 years and under 7 years Over 1 year and under 3 years One year and under Weight (22) Over 40kg 23kg up to 40kg 15kg up to 23kg Under 15kg Post Exposure Prophylaxis (22) 75mg once a day for 10 days 60mg once a day for 10 days 45mg once a day for 10 days 30mg once a day for 10 days See next section Treatment of Symptoms (22) 75mg twice a day for 5 days 60mg twice a day for 5 days 45mg twice a day for 5 days 30mg twice a day for 5 days See next section Tamiflu® Capsules: Opening the capsules and masking the flavour Capsules come in 30mg, 45mg and 75mg strength packed in boxes of ten capsules (13,14). Some people may be reluctant to take the capsules because the capsule shell contains gelatin (an animal product), others may have been given capsules and then find they have difficulty swallowing them. Young children are usually unwilling to swallow capsules. For patients taking 30mg, 45mg, 60mg or 75mg doses advise the following (1,13,14,25): The capsule can be opened and the powder contents stirred into one teaspoonful of “squeezy” chocolate syrup or one or two teaspoons-full (5mL to 10mL) of undiluted concentrated blackcurrant drink such as Ribena®. “Squeezy” chocolate syrup refers to the runny syrup that is poured or squirted over desserts; not the chocolate spreads. Despite the wording on Ribena® labels saying they are unsuitable for children under three, if the small amount means children accept their doses of Tamiflu® then it can be used. The manufacturer of Tamiflu® recommends other foods to disguise the taste such as honey for children over two years, brown sugar dissolved in water, condensed milk, apple sauce or yogurt. These may be acceptable to older children and adults but experience has shown that for the youngest, undiluted blackcurrant drink concentrate or chocolate syrup work best (25). Emphasise the need to thoroughly mix the powder with the syrup or juice – any exposed powder on top of the juice or syrup risks the bitter taste. If the child is due for a dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen syrup then the paracetamol or ibuprofen could be given straight afterwards. Try to swallow all of the mixture. The oseltamivir in the capsule is very soluble and it will dissolve easily so don’t worry if there is some powder left over as it not the active part of Tamiflu® (9). Do not mix it up in advance; make it up when the next dose is due. Don’t leave any “sitting around”. Children needing 60mg doses will be given 30mg capsules. The contents of two capsules will be required for each dose (22). Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 5 of 9 Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3 Infants up to and including 12 months of age. Dose according to weight and age. Doses are different for infants under six months of age (22). There are two liquid preparations that differ in strength and dosage: an Oseltamivir Solution made by the NHS and Tamiflu® Suspension made by Roche. Whenever possible the Oseltamivir Solution will be supplied by the NHS but depending upon stock holdings at antiviral collection points some parents or carers may be given the Roche Tamiflu® Suspension. Please make sure you know which preparation the parent or carer has. Although the Tamiflu® Suspension is not currently licensed for flu prevention in infants under one, or for the treatment of flu symptoms in infants less than six months, it has been approved for both indications in under ones by the Department of Health under the National Pandemic Plan. Oseltamivir Solution 15mg/mL in 20mL bottles made by NHS Manufacturing (24). The solution is ready to be used and will be labelled with an expiry date of seven days after opening (25). The solution is not flavoured and has a bitter taste so it is advised to mix the required dose with one or two teaspoons-full (5mL to 10mL) of a concentrated blackcurrant juice such as Ribena®. Parents should try to ensure that the child swallows the entire dose (3). Infants under 6 months of age Infants 6 months to one year of age Post Exposure Prophylaxis (22) Treatment of Symptoms (22) Post Exposure Prophylaxis (22) Treatment of Symptoms (22) 2mg/kg once a day for 10 days 2mg/kg twice a day for 5 days 3mg/kg once a day for 10 days 3mg/kg twice a day for 5 days Oseltamivir Solution 15mg/mL Dose calculation based on 2mg/kg, the lowest weight in each range and rounded up to the nearest 0.1mL Oseltamivir Solution 15mg/mL Dose calculation based on 3mg/kg and the lowest weight in each range Weight range (kg) Dose in mL (22) Weight range (kg) 3.0 – 3.6 3.7 – 4.3 4.4 – 5.0 5.1 – 5.7 5.8 – 6.4 6.5 – 7.1 7.2 – 7.8 7.9 – 8.5 8.6 – 9.2 9.3 – 9.9 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 6.0 – 6.4 6.5 – 6.9 7.0 – 7.4 7.5 – 7.9 8.0 – 8.4 8.5 – 8.9 9.0 – 9.4 9.5 – 9.9 10.0 – 10.4 10.5 – 10.9 11.0 – 11.4 11.5 – 11.9 12.0 – 12.4 Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 6 of 9 Dose in mL (22) 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Number of Bottles (22) 1 2 Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3 Tamiflu® Suspension Tutti-Frutti flavour, 60mg/5mL (= 12mg/mL) in 75mL bottles made by Roche with an oral measuring syringe and reconstitution measure. The suspension comes as a dry powder that needs to be mixed with water (reconstituted). Once reconstituted, it can be kept at room temperature (25C, 77F) for 10 days, or in a refrigerator at 2 to 8C for 17 days (23). The reconstituted suspension must be shaken before use and should not be frozen. Infants under 6 months of age Infants 6 months to one year of age Post Exposure Prophylaxis (22) Treatment of Symptoms (22) Post Exposure Prophylaxis (22) Treatment of Symptoms (22) 2mg/kg once a day for 10 days 2mg/kg twice a day for 5 days 3mg/kg once a day for 10 days 3mg/kg twice a day for 5 days Tamiflu® Suspension 60mg/5mL Tamiflu® Suspension 60mg/5mL Dose calculation based on 2mg/kg and the lowest weight in each Dose calculation based on 3mg/kg and the lowest weight in each range Weight range (kg) Dose in mL (22) Weight range (kg) Dose in mL (22) 3.0 – 3.5 3.6 – 4.1 4.2 – 4.7 4.8 – 5.3 5.4 – 5.9 6.0 – 6.5 6.6 – 7.1 7.2 – 7.7 7.8 – 8.3 8.4 – 8.9 9.0 – 9.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 6.0 – 6.3 6.4 – 6.7 6.8 – 7.1 7.2 – 7.5 7.6 – 7.9 8.0 – 8.3 8.4 – 8.7 8.8 – 9.1 9.2 – 9.5 9.6 – 9.9 10.0 – 10.3 10.4 – 10.7 10.8 – 11.1 11.2 – 11.5 11.6 – 11.9 12.0 – 12.3 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.0 Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 7 of 9 Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3 References 1) Summary of Product Characteristics – Tamiflu® 75mg Hard Capsule (oseltamivir) Roche Products Limited. Last revision of text 9 September 2009 Accessed via http://emc.medicines.org.uk on 28 September 2009. 2) Martin J, editor. British National Formulary for Children 2009. London: BMJ Group and RPS Publishing; 2009. Accessed via http://bnfc.org/bnfc/bnfc/current/129086.htm?q=%22oseltamivir%2 2#_hit on 22 July 2009 3) Health Protection Agency. Summary of prescribing guidance for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza-like illness: Treatment phase v1.5. 7 July 2009. Accessed via http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/12435814750 43 on 22 July 2009. 4) UKMI Q+A 275.1 Use of oseltamivir in immunocompromised patients. Northwest Medicines Information Centre. Accessed via http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/Evidence/Medicines-Q-A/Use-of-oseltamivir-in-immunocompromisedpatients/?query=oseltamivir&rank=3 on 22 June 2009. 5) Oseltamivir, Amantadine (review) and zanamivir for the prophylaxis of influenza. NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance 158. September 2008. Accessed via http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA158 on 22 June 2009. 6) Amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir for the treatment of influenza. NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance 168. February 2009. Accessed via http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA168 on 22 July 2009. 7) Health Protection Agency. Treatment approach announced for pandemic flu. 2 July 2009. Accessed via http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_ C/1246519368102 on 13 July 2009 8) Baxter K editor, Stockley’s Drug Interactions. London: Pharmaceutical Press (electronic version). Accessed via: http://www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/stockley on 22 July 2009. Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 8 of 9 9) American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. AHFS Drug Information 2008 (electronic version). Accessed via http://www.medicinescomplete.com on 22 July 2009 10) UKMi Q+A 276.1 Use of oseltamivir in patients taking methotrexate. Northwest Medicines Information Centre. Accessed via http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/Evidence/Medicines-Q-A/Use-of-oseltamivir-in-patients-takingmethotrexate/?query=oseltamivir&rank=3 on 22 July 2009. 11) Oral Anticoagulant Therapy. Important information for patients. National Patient Safety Agency and The British Society for Haematology. 2007. London. 12) Influenza Antiviral Interactions. Liverpool HIV Pharmacology Group. Chart Update May 2009. Accessed via http://www.hivdruginteractions.org on 22 July 2009. 13) Patient Information Leaflet - Tamiflu 30mg and 45mg Hard Capsules (oseltamivir) UK/Ireland/Malta. Roche Products Limited. Last approval January 2009. Accessed via http://emc.medicines.org.uk on 22 July 2009. 14) Patient Information Leaflet - Tamiflu 75mg Hard Capsules (oseltamivir) UK/Ireland/Malta. Roche Products Limited. Last approval January 2009. Accessed via http://emc.medicines.org.uk on 22 July 2009. 15) Toxbase Monograph: oseltamivir. National Poisons Information Service. Updated April 2009. Accessed via http://toxbase.u5e.com/Poisons-Index-A-Z/O-Products/Oseltamivir/ on 22 July 2009. 16) NHS Direct Q+A N22.2 What should patients do if they miss a dose of their medicine? Wessex Drug and Medicines Information Centre. Accessed via: http://nww.intranet.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/Portals/91a3b107-a934-41308dde-43ac5d918dd3/Q&A22misseddosesSWFINAL.DOC on 22 July 2009. 17) Department of Health. Pandemic Influenza: Recommendations on the use of antiviral medicines for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and children under one year of age. 5 June 2009. Accessed via Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3 http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/Pub licationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_100361 on 22 July 2009. 18) Anon. Oseltamivir in Pregnancy. National Poisons Information Service and the UK Teratology Information Service. Updated 06/05/09. Accessed via www.toxbase.org on 22 July 2009. 19) Anon. Management of pregnant women during an influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) pandemic. National Poisons Information Service and the UK Teratology Information Service. National Poisons Information Service and the UK Teratology Information Service. Updated 06/05/09. Accessed via www.toxbase.org on 22 July 2009. 20) UKMi Q+A 179.1 Oseltamivir or zanamivir - Can mothers breastfeed after treatment for influenza? Trent Medicines Information Service. Accessed via http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/Evidence/Medicines-Q-A/Oseltamivir-or-zanamivir---Can-mothers-breastfeed-aftertreatment-for-influenza/ on 22 July 2009. 21) Advice on administration of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) via enteral feeding tubes. White & Bradnam (2007) Handbook of Drug Administration via Enteral Feeding Tubes. PharmPress Accessed via http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/en/NeLM-Area/Evidence/Medicines-Q-A/Advice-on-administration-of-oseltamivir-Tamiflu-via-enteralfeeding-tubes/ on 22 July 2009. 22) Department of Health. Authorisation of antiviral medicines. Guidance on the use of FP10SS forms and Antiviral Authorisation Vouchers during the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic in England. 21 September 2009. Accessed via http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/AdvanceSearchResult/index.htm?searchT erms=12596 on 28 September 2009. 23) Summary of Product Characteristics – Tamiflu® 12mg/mL powder for oral suspension (oseltamivir) Roche Products Limited. Last Produced by NHS Direct UKMI Working Group Page: 9 of 9 revision of text 9 September 2009 Accessed via http://emc.medicines.org.uk on 24 September 2009 24) Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. General News: Influenza A. Background and Guidance for Pharmacists: Supply of oseltamivir liquid 15mg/mL. Accessed via: http://www.psnc.org.uk/news.php/481/influenza_a_h1n1_guidance _updated_15 on 22 July 2009. 25) Internal communication between NHS Direct and East and South East England Specialist Pharmacy Services 22 July 2009. Quality Assurance Search Strategy Standard In house resources and communications Prepared by Wynn Pevreal Principal Pharmacist London Medicines Information Service Contact Med.info @nwlh.nhs.uk Checked by Alexandra Denby Regional MI Manager London Medicines Information Service Updated by Wynn Pevreal (Paediatric doses – in line with reference 22) Update Checked by Helen Rowlandson Northwick Park Medicines Information Service Date last updated: 28 Sep 09 Review due: 31 Aug 2010 Version: 4.3