WEST DEVON surgeries were waiting this week to hear when they will be able to prescribe the anti-influenza drug Relenza.

The drug was authorized for distribution last week by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. But guidelines on its use have only just reached health authorities and have not yet been passed on to local doctors and pharmacies.

The Abbey Surgery and the Stannary Surgery in Tavistock said they had received no information on the drug and did not know when it could be made available or to whom.

David Seward, practice manager at Okehampton Medical Centre, said he was also still awaiting guidance from the health authority.

Pharmacists have not yet placed orders. Unichem, the drug wholesaler, said it expected to receive supplies at its Exeter warehouse this week.

Relenza can cut the duration of the disease — although by how much is still disputed — and 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 likely 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.

The Department of Health claimed it would only reduce the impact of flu by a day, whereas supporters of the drug have said it could do so by as much as 40 per cent.

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

Health Minister John Denham said the health service should have enough money to meet the expected demand. To limit the extra workload for doctors, pharmacists and nurses will be allowed to supply it.

Relenza will be used only when flu is already 'circulating', but doctors and pharmacists do not yet know how this will be decided.

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.

l Neither Tavistock Area Support Services nor Age Concern Devon, two charities which help the elderly, had had any inquiries about the drug.