Bird-flu drug supplies cleaned out

Supplies of the anti-bird flu drug Tamiflu are selling out amid growing fears of a pandemic.

Fresh consignments in the South Island sold out within two days last week.

Bird flu has killed more than 50 people in Asia since late 2003 and health experts fear a small mutation in the H5N1 virus could allow it to become highly infectious, sparking a global pandemic.

The anti-viral drug Tamiflu is regarded as the best hope against any epidemic. The World Health Organisation has recommended Governments stockpile supplies for essential workers and the New Zealand Government has committed $26 million to buying 850,000 doses of Tamiflu.

At most, this is only enough for about one in five people and more and more New Zealanders are opting to buy their own for about $75.

Manufacturer Roche admits it is unable to keep up with demand.

New supplies arrived in the South Island on Wednesday but stocks nationwide were exhausted by Friday.

- NZPA