Why It Is Essential to Order RELENZA for Your Organization

Antivirals are considered to be a first line of defense in protecting your employees and your business against a flu pandemic.[32] However, the US government is currently stockpiling enough antivirals to cover only 25% of the US population in the event of a pandemic.[33] Depending on the strain of the virus, it could take as long as 6 months or more to develop and deliver a vaccine after a pandemic strikes the United States.[34]

“Any community that fails to prepare and expects the federal government will come to the rescue is tragically wrong. It’s not because we don’t care, don’t want to, or don’t have the money, but because it’s logistically impossible.”
—Secretary Michael O. Leavitt, US Dept of Health and Human Services[35]

The government’s goal is to have an antiviral stockpile of 81 million treatment courses by December 2008.[33] RELENZA will represent 20% of the Strategic National Stockpile procurement of antivirals.[36] In order to provide adequate coverage to your organization, it is essential to stockpile antivirals in the event of a pandemic.

To view state allocations of antivirals, please visit: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/antivirals.html

Read on for important information about RELENZA as well as guidelines on how to determine the correct amount to order, how to order, how to store, and how to ensure your employees are educated on the appropriate use of RELENZA.

RELENZA Stockpiling FAQs
How to Order RELENZA
RELENZA Resistance Profile
How to Use RELENZA: Step-by-Step
RELENZA Indications and Important Safety Information

Note: Clinical efficacy can only be concluded from clinical trials. No data are available on the use of RELENZA in patients infected with H5N1 (avian flu). Given the difficulty of conducting clinical trials with potential pandemic flu strains, to date, no clear evidence exists to show whether RELENZA or Tamiflu® (oseltamivir phosphate) is effective for treating patients with H5N1 infection, or for prophylaxis of people exposed to H5N1.

next: RELENZA Stockpiling FAQs

 
Important Safety Information About RELENZA

• Serious cases of bronchospasm, including fatalities, have been reported during treatment with RELENZA in patients with and without underlying airway disease. Many of these cases were reported during postmarketing, and causality was difficult to assess
  
• RELENZA SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY PATIENT WHO DEVELOPS BRONCHOSPASM OR DECLINE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION; immediate treatment and hospitalization may be required
  
• Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with high-risk underlying medical conditions
  
• Patients should be instructed in the use of the delivery system. Instructions should include a demonstration whenever possible
  
• If treatment with RELENZA is considered for a patient with underlying airway disease, the potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed. If a decision is made to prescribe RELENZA for such a patient, this should be done only under conditions of careful monitoring of respiratory function, close observation, and appropriate supportive care including availability of fast-acting bronchodilators
  
• Common adverse events in treatment and prophylaxis studies with RELENZA were nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, viral respiratory infections, headaches, nasal signs and symptoms. The incidence of these adverse events was similar in both groups for RELENZA and placebo-treated groups
  
• Please see complete Prescribing Information for RELENZA