Walgreens Compounding Tamiflu Oral Suspension for Children In Response to Supply Shortage

DEERFIELD, Ill., March 01, 2011 - With flu activity on the rise and now widespread in 44 states according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a spike in demand for the suspension (liquid) form of Tamiflu for children has resulted in a shortage of the flu-fighting drug. In response, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) pharmacies in all 50 states are prepared to compound Tamiflu capsules into the liquid form to continue filling oral suspension prescriptions without interruption. Tamiflu capsules remain in adequate supply.

“These are the highest levels of flu activity health officials have seen this season,” said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy services. “For people who get sick and who are prescribed an antiviral drug like Tamiflu, it’s best if started within the first 48 hours. With the shortage of liquid Tamiflu for children, we’ve taken proactive measures to ensure our pharmacists can compound these prescriptions and many have already begun doing so. In addition, we continue to offer flu shots at all of our stores and Take Care Clinics every day.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established an approved method for compounding Tamiflu, creating a liquid mixture that ensures the most effective and proper dosing. Walgreens pharmacists are trained in compounding and have the necessary ingredients to begin producing Tamiflu Oral Suspension from capsule form upon depletion of the manufacturer’s supply. Tamiflu is the most widely-prescribed antiviral flu medicine¹ for both children and adults.

All Walgreens and Take Care Clinics continue to offer flu shots daily with no appointment necessary.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,670 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

¹ IMS Health

Walgreens
Jim Cohn, (847) 315-2950
jim.cohn@walgreens.com
http://news.walgreens.com