NHS Wandsworth, in response to a request from the PEC (see minutes of meeting on 14 July), has increased the number of collection points for antiviral drugs and is now putting information about local swine flu arrangements on its website. The link is www.wandsworth.nhs.uk/health/flu/swineflu

Note that there are four additional locations to collect antiviral drugs (Tamiflu) by a flu friend on behalf of someone who has been prescribed the drugs. That makes 7 in total in the borough. More locations will be made available if the PCT decides there is a need for this and it will also look at extending opening hours of pharmacies which are collection locations. Tamiflu is not an emergency drug – you can take it up to 48 hours after developing symptoms.

A flu friend with an authorisation number from the National Pandemic Flu Service can collect the antiviral drugs prescription for any collection point in the country, it does not have to be in Wandsworth, if that is more convenient. For a list of all collection points, see the link to the National Pandemic Flu Service below.

If an individual has no flu friend, arrangements can be made by the PCT through the Eileen Lecky clinic, open seven days a week, to deliver them by courier.