Children's Tamiflu Shortage May Cost Parents More

A shortage of children's Tamiflu in parts of the country has pharmacists mixing their own version of the drug, and while the mixture has proven to be just as affective, parents are having to pay more for it.

Saturday, October 3rd 2009, 10:51 pm

By: News 9


By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A shortage of children's Tamiflu in parts of the country has pharmacists mixing their own version of the drug, and while the mixture has proven to be just as effective, parents are having to pay more for it.

With no liquid form of Tamiflu in stock, pharmacists in Oklahoma, like those at the Hospital Discount Pharmacy, have been mixing an artificial cherry flavoring with the necessary dose of the adult tablets of Tamiflu.

"The biggest trouble is getting insurance companies to pay for it," said Stephanie Harris, pharmacist.

While the regular oral version of children's Tamiflu is covered by most insurance companies, many won't cover the mixed version.

"On children it is specifically based on the weight, the dosage is, so it can be anywhere from $70 to $100," Harris said.

Recent rumors have circulated that some of the ingredients required to make the children's Tamiflu are in short supply, but experts said that is not the case. The company that makes children's Tamiflu has said publicly that they expect to have more on pharmacy shelves by November.

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