MEMO: Expanded Access to Influenza Antivirals

TO:  Health Care Providers Prescribing Influenza Antivirals in Niagara  

FROM: Niagara Region Public Health, Infectious Disease Program

REFERENCE: Expanded Access to Influenza Antivirals

DATE: December 2, 2022

Flu season is well underway and influenza continues to increase across the province. Influenza is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations and deaths in Canada, with severe illness more likely among the elderly, those with underlying medical conditions, and children.

Treatment with antiviral medications decreases the duration of influenza symptoms and can help prevent complications, such as hospitalization and potentially deaths. Antiviral medications work best if administered as early as possible, and no later than 48 hours, after symptom onset.

The province has recently expanded access to influenza antivirals for the 2022/2023 influenza season.

NEW Expanded Access

• As of November 30, 2022, the province is expanding access to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for treatment of Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program-eligible persons who are at high risk of complications from influenza infection and have either
  • Laboratory-confirmed influenza A or influenza B infection; OR
  • Illness consistent with influenza A or influenza B infection
• The Limited Use Code is 639
• Further details, including reimbursement criteria, are available from Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative Drug Index (see pages 8 – 10) and will be available through the online ODB Formulary

More Information

• At A Glance: Influenza Antiviral Treatment – Public Health Ontario
• Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin – Public Health Ontario
• Flu Activity in Niagara – Niagara Region Public Health