On the day after Christmas, clinics across North Texas were full of patients with flu-like symptoms. But one of the most popular drugs used to fight the flu could be difficult to find in stock.
Some pharmacies have reported temporary shortages in the liquid form of Tamiflu.
At CityDoc in Uptown Dallas, one doctor said Friday was the second busiest day of the flu season, only trailing the day after Thanksgiving.
“It started right at 8 a.m. this morning. Everybody was coming in through the door, and it keeps going, and I suspect we will still be busy probably until late this evening,” said Dr. Chin Vu.
Pete Marino was one of the people seeing a doctor Friday morning. He started feeling sick the day before Christmas, but many urgent care clinics were closed on Christmas Day.
“Started to get the fever and the chills. Temperature went up on the 24th so I was supposed to go to family's but of course I didn't want to bring any of that to the kids,” said Marino.
Marino was treated with Tamiflu, and the need seems to be growing.
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NBC 5 checked with both CVS and Walgreens about their supplies of the flu-fighting drug.
A spokesperson from Walgreens said right now, they are meeting the demand. But he added they are seeing an increase in flu activity, and some locations may experience a temporary shortage. He suggested patients call ahead to confirm availability.
A spokesperson from CVS told NBC 5 there have been intermittent shortages of the liquid version of Tamiflu, but not the capsules, due to the suppliers' challenges to meet the current demand.
He added that if the liquid option is out, patients can speak to the pharmacist about the option of having capsules compounded to a liquid suspension.
