The NHS has removed restrictions on prescribing influenza antivirals Tamiflu and Relenza and patients can have access to it in any time of the year.
Previously, to allow NHS prescribing of influenza antivirals, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) had to notify general medical practitioners that the influenza virus is in circulation in the community.
The prescribing regulations and the selected list scheme (SLS) in Part XVIIIB of the October 2025 Drug Tariff have now been amended to remove the notification requirement in relation to the prescribing of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza).
This change is part of a Government effort to streamline access to flu treatments, reduce winter pressures on the NHS by allowing outbreaks to be contained, and provide medicines quickly at any time of the year.
Pharmacy staff who receive NHS prescriptions (generic or branded) for Tamiflu and Relenza, should check that these prescriptions are endorsed ‘SLS’ by the prescriber.
This endorsement confirms the product has been prescribed in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Drug Tariff rules.
If the prescriber's ‘SLS’ endorsement is missing, the prescription should be returned to the prescriber. Pharmacy staff do not have the right to endorse it.
On FP10 paper prescriptions for Tamiflu and Zanamivir Relenza, the prescriber must endorse ‘SLS’ against the item.
