EMEA extends shelf-life of Tamiflu as swine flu spreads

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has extended its authorisation for using Tamiflu, as swine flu continues to spread.

It has recommended that the shelf life of Tamiflu capsules be extended from five to seven years. This will formally apply to newly manufactured Tamiflu capsules and EMEA has also recommended that capsules already on sale be sold for two years beyond their current five-year expiry date, should the World Health Organisation (WHO) declare a pandemic.

Also, in such circumstances, EMEA said patients who have Tamiflu capsules that have recently expired should not dispose of them.

The agency has also advised that after a WHO pandemic declaration, Tamiflu should be used to treat babies under one-year-old plus pregnant or breast-feeding women, sweeping away earlier official cautions.