Fears over lack of flu drug in Wales (From Western Telegraph)

Fears over lack of flu drug in Wales

Dear Editor - As it is likely that the bird flu virus 'has already reached Britain', according to your front page report, it is worth noting that no chemist in Wales carries stocks of the Tamiflu antiviral drug, but it "can be ordered".

Tamiflu is not 100% effective but it may save your life if taken within two days of infection or symptoms appearing. By the time a GP or hospital has identified an infection in a patient (in two to three days, with some luck) and a Tamiflu prescription has been issued, most of us would be dead by the time the drug actually arrives at the chemist's. A sobering tale of government incompetence to ponder.

RICHARD SHEPHERD Whalecwm House The Ferry Cosheston