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First the Obama CDC promised there would be plenty of H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine to go around for anyone that wanted it by October. Then, the Obama CDC changed that date to November. Then, the Obama CDC changed that date to December.
Now it looks like TAMIFLU is also in short supply.
Especially if your a child. I have long been harping on this crap regarding the Obama CDC swine flu but none of you have taken a stand. Well this little bit of information might just swing your vote.
As I have written before, Tamiflu is the prescribed medication to combat a diagnosed episode of H1N1 Swine Flu. However, the manufacturers can produce more ADULT doses of Tamiflu per hour. They have relied on Compounding Pharmacists to convert the adult dose to a child's dose.
You think I was kidding before? You read the current stats.
http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/70359682.html
A USA Today investigation found the prices of the H1N1 drug Tamiflu vary widely from pharmacy to pharmacy. The out-of-pocket price to fill the same liquid Tamiflu prescription can range from $43 to $130.
USA Today surveyed more than 100 pharmacies in six states. The Attorneys General in Connecticut and Mississippi are investigating the possible price gouging, and other states could follow.
Go Chris Go! You might just save your a$$.
http://www.connecticutplus.com/cplus/information/news/health/Dodd-calls-for-federal-investigation-of-potential-price-gouging-on-children-s-H1N1-medicine66936693.shtml
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today called for a federal investigation after a USA Today report revealed that “some pharmacies are charging three times what others are for a scarce liquid form of the H1N1 drug Tamiflu used by children.”
“This is a deeply disturbing report,” said Dodd. “Forcing some parents to pay three times the cost for medicine for their sick child during a national health crisis is deplorable. I am glad that Attorney General Blumenthal and other state Attorneys General have begun investigating, and Attorney General Holder and Secretary Sebelius should immediately do the same. We need a quick and thorough investigation to put an end to this practice. Price gouging is never acceptable – but price gouging on Tamiflu endangers our children. If it’s happening, it must be stopped, and it must be stopped now.”
Quote from USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-11-17-swine-flue-drug-prices_N.htm
Swiss drugmaker Roche has focused on making Tamiflu capsules that are faster to produce. Because of the liquid shortage, some pharmacies make their own, mixing Tamiflu capsules into a sweet syrup. Liquid Tamiflu is mostly taken by children because it's easier to swallow and comes in lower doses.
About 2.2 million children younger than 6 have no health coverage, reports the Kaiser Family Foundation, a research group. The prices given to USA TODAY for the same liquid dose for children:
•Pennsylvania: $49-$94.
•Louisiana: $43-$110.
•Michigan: $49-$94.
•Kansas: $49-$99.
•Colorado: $65-$120.
•California: $55-$130.
"We're dealing with a national health epidemic," said Bruce Schneider, of Hart Pharmacy in Wichita whose price was $49. "If I want to sleep at night, I don't think I should be taking advantage of the situation."