Requests to compound liquid Tamiflu have steadily increased over the past couple of weeks

There has been a lot of information about the importance of taking preventative measures against H1N1, primarily through vaccination. But what if a person has already contracted H1N1? What if that person is a young child?

Many physicians are prescribing liquid Tamiflu for this vulnerable population. Tamiflu is an anti-viral drug that may reduce the risk of potentially life threatening complications. Most people are probably not aware that unlike the capsule form of Tamiflu, the liquid form is not commercially available. Chances are, people requiring this form of Tamiflu for their children will be directed to a compounding pharmacy. Compounding pharmacies specialize in customizing medications that are not commercially available.

Marvin Malamed, pharmacist and owner of Haber's Compounding Pharmacy, says requests to compound liquid Tamiflu have steadily increased over the past couple of weeks. "This is one of the many problem-solving requests that we receive daily. This is what being a compounding pharmacy is about, using our specialty expertise to provide solutions that are not commercially available."

Compounding pharmacies may become a necessary destination place for paediatric solutions with respect to the H1N1 virus.