WEST DEVON doctors appear to be divided over whether they will prescribe the new anti-influenza drug Relenza.

The drug was authorized for distribution by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

But the Mid-Devon Doctors' Group, which includes Okehampton, Hatherleigh, North Tawton and Chagford, has decided not to prescribe it, while the South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Group, covering Tavistock, Yelverton, Bere Alston and Lifton, intends to do so.

The Mid-Devon doctors were said to be concerned about the high cost of the drug, the extra workload on doctors and the possibility of spreading flu by encouraging people to come to the surgery for a prescription.

The group, set up in 1993, is made up of 68 doctors in 20 practices. Its decision has not been ratified by the Mid Devon Primary Care Group, part of the North and East Devon Health Authority.

The MDPCG's chief officer Topsy Murray said: 'It is unclear how far the doctors' authority stretches. When are guidelines not guidelines?'

The board could discuss the issue at its meeting on January 3.

Meanwhile a spokesman for the West Devon Group said doctors felt they would go along with the guidance from NICE.

Relenza can cut the duration of the disease, although by how much is still disputed. The Department of Health claimed it would only reduce the impact by a day, but others have said it could do so by as much as 40 per cent.

NICE has said that high-risk categories include the over-65s and people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, or heart disease, a weakened immune system or diabetes.

This does not mean that everyone with such a condition would receive it, but that doctors should consider such people as priorities.

The drug has to be taken within 48 hours of the outbreak of the disease to be effective. It will cost £24 per course.

NICE estimated that the take-up would be no more than 17 patients per general practitioner in a year.

Relenza will be used only when flu is already 'circulating'. The South and West Devon Health Authority said it could be prescribed when there were at least 50 flu cases per 100,000 GP consultations nationally.

The drug will not be a substitute for vaccination, which is intended to remain the primary safeguard against the most likely strains of the disease.