Facilitating Access to Antiviral Medications and Information during an Influenza Pandemic Engaging With the Public on Possible New Strategies

The Institute of Medicine, with technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, convened public engagement events in three demographically and geographically diverse communities to assess public perception of the alternative strategies for prescribing, distributing, and dispensing antivirals and disseminating information about influenza and its treatment. Participants at all three locations expressed high levels of acceptance for each of the proposed strategies, including pharmacists prescribing under Collaborative Practice Agreements with sponsoring physicians. Key findings from these sessions are discussed further in this article.