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The government has amended prescribing regulations to allow the antivirals oseltamivir (Tamiflu; Roche) and zanamivir (Relenza; GSK) to be prescribed and dispensed outside of the flu season.
On 1 September 2025, the government said the rule change “will allow doctors and pharmacists to better respond to flu outbreaks”.
“These rules are being removed so action can be taken to tackle flu all year round. This will allow patients to receive treatment sooner and ease winter pressures by allowing outbreaks to be contained,” it added.
Previously, GPs and pharmacies had to be commissioned via a patient-specific direction to prescribe the medicines, but the government noted that this could lead to delays in treatment.
Both oseltamivir and zanamivir are recommended for treating high-risk individuals, following a confirmatory test for flu.
“They are also recommended to prevent disease in specific settings, such as care homes, where confirmed cases of flu have occurred,” the government said.
The removal of restrictions coincides with the launch of the 2025/2026 flu vaccination programme for pregnant women and children.
Health minister Stephen Kinnock commented: “Flu can strike all year round, so it doesn’t make sense to restrict doctors and pharmacists from taking action to protect the most vulnerable in their communities.
“That’s why, as well as starting the flu vaccination programme today, we are also removing the need for clinicians to have to ask for permission to prescribe what their patients need.”
Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “While the majority of influenza cases and outbreaks occur during the flu season, we do continue to see outbreaks outside the peak period.
“These changes will allow primary care providers and health protection teams to respond more rapidly with effective treatment to reduce the risk of severe disease and the spread of infection at any time of year.”
Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, added: “This is a welcome change and will help patients at highest risk of serious illness from flu get timely access to treatment all year round.
“Pharmacists play a vital role in protecting public health, and this flexibility will support quicker responses to outbreaks, reduce pressures on the NHS and protect vulnerable patients.”
In July 2025, NHS England announced that community pharmacies will be able to provide flu vaccines to children aged two to three years, as part of a trial commissioned for the 2025/2026 winter season.
