Influenza Season 2017/18: Antiviral Medicines No Longer Recommended

The Department of Health & Social Care has issued the following advice via the Central Alerting System:

The most recent surveillance data from Public Health England (PHE) indicates that circulation of influenza in the community has returned to baseline levels.  

GPs and other prescribers working in primary care should no longer prescribe antiviral medicines, for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza on an FP10 prescription form.   

This is in accordance with NICE guidance and Schedule 2 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of drugs etc) Regulations 2004), commonly known as the Grey List or Selected List Scheme (SLS).