H1N1 drugs running low in Trinidad

Tamiflu, a prescriptive drug used to treat the H1N1 influenza or the seasonal flu, is running out at the nation’s hospitals. Relatives of patients who are being treated for the influenza are also finding it difficult to get the drugs at private pharmacies. Tamiflu is used to treat the flu (influenza) in people two weeks of age and older.
In an interview yesterday, Chan Sookoo, whose relative is being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital, said he checked several pharmacies for the drug but was unable to get any. “Why is it the doctors are prescribing this if it is not available?” Sookoo said.
Relatives of a Point Fortin security officer currently warded at the Intensive Care Unit also said it was difficult getting the drug. “We checked in pharmacies throughout Debe, Duncan Village, San Fernando and Marabella and we could not get it. Eventually we managed to get ten tablets at a pharmacy in La Romaine,” a relative added.
She also said that it was difficult to get the season influenza vaccination which is taken as a precaution in the prevention of swine flu.
Last week, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh assured that there was no shortage of the H1N1 vaccination. The virus has resulted in the deaths of four people since the 2009 pandemic. Deyalsingh said those who have had direct contact with ailing patients should get the vaccination at their local health centres. He made arrangements for relatives of the security officer to get vaccinated at the Debe Health Centre.
However, checks by the T&T Guardian revealed that more than half a dozen public health centres remain without vaccination supplies. These include the Penal, Icacos, Fyzabad, Freeport, Indian Walk, Gasparillo and Pleasantville health centres. Officials from other centres have been giving the vaccinations at specific times.
A source at the Erin Health Centre said the vaccine can be obtained on Thursday at 11 am. Officials at Palo Seco said the vaccination was not available to the public. “We don’t have the amount that we ordered so we are trying to vaccinate the staff first. We have ordered but we are told it is in short supply,” an official said.
A staff member at the Guapo Health Centre said vaccinations were brought for the staff members alone. However, another batch was expected to be delivered by the end of the month.
Fyzabad Health Centre officials said they do not know when they will get the vaccination. La Brea Health Centre officials said they usually administer vaccinations to members of the public from 10.30 am on Wednesdays, while Macoya and Penal Health Centre officials said vaccinations are given at 1 pm and 2.30 pm on Wednesdays. Arouca and Brother’s Road Health centres also confirmed that vaccinations are given on Mondays.
T&T has already recorded its fourth confirmed death from the highly contagious H1N1 Influenza (swine flu), which accounted for over 14,000 deaths worldwide in 2009. The latest death was that of Siparia mother Cherrie Ryce, 46, who died at the San Fernando General Hospital in October 17.
SWRHA head responds
Contacted for comment, chief executive officer of the South West Regional Health Authority Anil Gosine said the influenza vaccination was available at San Fernando General Hospital. He said during an executive meeting there was no mention of any vaccination shortages.
Asked whether the Government should increase its orders, Gosine said the vaccinations will be brought into T&T as required. He said it is supplied to the Chief Medical Officer of Health for all the counties, who then distribute it to the health centres. A senior ministry source said only those who are at high risk for contracting the virus are given the vaccination. (Guardian)