Your Patients Are Struggling to Find Tamiflu — Here's How You Can Help

During the 2025–2026 flu season, one of the most common complaints from patients isn't about their symptoms — it's about their inability to fill a Tamiflu prescription. With over 10 Oseltamivir presentations in short supply, pharmacies across the country are turning patients away daily.

As a provider, you can't control the supply chain. But you can take practical steps to improve your patients' chances of accessing antiviral treatment within the critical 48-hour window. This guide outlines actionable strategies you can implement in your practice today.

Understanding the Current Supply Landscape

Before diving into strategies, a quick refresher on what's driving the shortage:

• Multiple generic Oseltamivir manufacturers are on seasonal allocation, limiting distribution to contracted accounts
• Brand-name Tamiflu presentations have been discontinued by Genentech, shifting all demand to generics
• The 2025–2026 flu season has generated above-average prescription volume, depleting pharmacy inventory faster than it can be replenished
• The FDA classifies this as localized stock-outs due to demand, meaning availability varies significantly by geography and pharmacy type

The key insight for providers: Tamiflu is still available in many locations — the challenge is connecting patients to the right pharmacy.

Strategy 1: Integrate Real-Time Availability Checks into Your Workflow

The single most impactful thing you can do is help patients identify a pharmacy that has Oseltamivir in stock before they leave your office or end their telehealth visit.

Medfinder for Providers offers real-time pharmacy inventory data that can be checked in seconds. Consider integrating this into your workflow:

In-Office Workflow

1. Diagnose influenza and determine antiviral is indicated
2. Before writing the prescription, check medfinder.com/providers for Oseltamivir availability near the patient's home or work
3. Send the prescription to a pharmacy confirmed to have stock
4. Provide the patient with 1–2 backup pharmacy options in case inventory changes

Telehealth Workflow

1. During the virtual visit, ask the patient their zip code (if not already on file)
2. Check availability on Medfinder while on the call
3. Direct the patient to the nearest pharmacy with confirmed stock
4. Send the e-prescription to that specific pharmacy

This proactive approach prevents the common scenario where a patient receives a prescription, visits their usual pharmacy, discovers it's out of stock, and then loses valuable treatment time searching for alternatives.

Strategy 2: Build Relationships with Independent Pharmacies

Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) serve the highest patient volumes and typically deplete their Oseltamivir allocations first during shortage periods. Independent pharmacies, by contrast, often:

• Source from regional or secondary wholesalers with different allocation structures
• Maintain closer relationships with wholesale account managers who can expedite orders
• Serve lower patient volumes, meaning their stock lasts longer
• Have more flexibility to source from multiple generic manufacturers

Action step: Identify 2–3 independent pharmacies in your practice's service area. Reach out to establish a relationship. During shortage periods, these pharmacies can become reliable referral partners for your patients.

Strategy 3: Prescribe Alternatives When Oseltamivir Is Unavailable

When real-time checks confirm that Oseltamivir is not available in a patient's area, have a clear alternative prescribing protocol ready:

First-Line Alternative: Baloxavir Marboxil (Xofluza)

For most patients ≥5 years without contraindications, Baloxavir is the most practical alternative:

• Single oral dose (eliminates adherence concerns)
• Active against Oseltamivir-resistant strains
• Comparable efficacy to Oseltamivir in clinical trials
• May be more readily available during Oseltamivir shortages (different supply chain)

Second-Line: Zanamivir (Relenza)

For patients ≥7 years who can use an inhaler device:

• 5-day inhaled course
• Contraindicated in patients with asthma, COPD, or other chronic respiratory conditions
• Requires patient education on Diskhaler use

Third-Line: Peramivir (Rapivab)

For patients who need IV administration:

• Single IV infusion administered in clinic, urgent care, or ED
• Appropriate for patients who cannot tolerate oral medications
• Bypasses the retail pharmacy supply chain entirely
• Particularly useful for high-risk hospitalized patients

For a comprehensive clinical comparison of alternatives, see our provider shortage update.

Strategy 4: Empower Your Staff

Your front desk, medical assistants, and nursing staff are on the front lines of patient communication. Equip them to handle Tamiflu-related questions efficiently:

Provide a Shortage FAQ Script

Create a brief reference document for staff that covers:

• "Yes, there is a nationwide Oseltamivir shortage. It's affecting pharmacies across the country."
• "We can check which pharmacies near you have it in stock using Medfinder."
• "If your pharmacy is out, call us back and we can send the prescription to another location or switch to an alternative medication."

Designate a Pharmacy Liaison

If volume allows, designate one staff member per shift to handle pharmacy availability checks and prescription redirects. This prevents bottlenecks and ensures patients get timely assistance.

Strategy 5: Communicate Proactively with Patients

Patients are anxious about the shortage. Clear, proactive communication reduces unnecessary calls and builds trust:

At the Point of Prescribing

• Acknowledge the shortage: "I want you to know that Tamiflu has been hard to find at some pharmacies. We're going to do our best to send this to a pharmacy that has it."
• Set expectations: "If the pharmacy doesn't have it when you arrive, call us right away and we'll redirect the prescription or prescribe an alternative."
• Emphasize urgency: "This medication works best within 48 hours of symptoms starting, so we want to get this filled as quickly as possible."

Patient-Facing Resources

Share these articles with patients who have questions:

• Tamiflu Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026
• How to Find Tamiflu in Stock Near You
• Alternatives to Tamiflu
• How to Save Money on Tamiflu

Strategy 6: Address Cost Barriers

The shortage has exacerbated cost issues. When generic Oseltamivir is unavailable and patients are directed to brand-name or alternative products, out-of-pocket costs can increase substantially.

Practical cost mitigation steps:

• Always prescribe generic Oseltamivir (not brand-name Tamiflu) to maximize formulary coverage
• Inform patients about discount card programs that can bring generic Oseltamivir to $20–$30
• For uninsured patients, refer to Genentech Access Solutions or patient assistance programs
• For provider-specific cost navigation resources, visit our provider's guide to helping patients save on Tamiflu

Final Thoughts

The Tamiflu shortage adds complexity to an already demanding flu season, but providers who adopt systematic approaches to availability checking, alternative prescribing, and patient communication can significantly reduce treatment delays.

The tools exist — Medfinder for Providers puts real-time pharmacy data at your fingertips. The alternatives exist — Xofluza, Relenza, and Rapivab are all FDA-approved and clinically effective. The key is building workflows that connect your patients to available treatment as quickly as possible.

For a complete clinical overview of the shortage, see our provider shortage update.