North Charlotte Today

The flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are taking a toll on patients throughout North Carolina as pharmacists are having trouble keeping Tamiflu and other prescription drugs in stock.

"We’ve had multiple cases where someone calls and says I’ve called five drug stores, I’ve called six drug stores, and what can I do?” Greg Reese, the owner of Oakhurst Pharmacy in Charlotte, said in a WBTV report.

The number of cases seems to have peaked in November, but many people are still afflicted, with patients filling emergency rooms and doctors’ offices.

Deese said he is trying a new strategy to keep the commonly prescribed medications in stock.

“What happens is the wholesaler is getting it in stock, it stays there for an hour or so, then it’s gone,” he said. “My goal is to shop multiple times a day and catch it while it’s in stock and then I grab it.”

He continues to request it, even if it's backordered. Deese also said he's seeing a demand in flu and COVID-19 booster shots.

“There’s no reason not to get a flu shot,” Tom Berg, a customer, said. “You really need to for sure.”

Deese increased his order at the start of the season but said he should have ordered more flu vaccine earlier, according to WBTV.

“I needed to double my order,” he said. “I probably increased 20%, but I needed to double it. I am ordering flu vaccine every week. Normally the ordering process tails off in November, but it’s going strong right now.”

With holiday gatherings ahead, Deese said it’s likely medical professionals will see another surge in flu and RSV cases.

“We always have that bump in illness after holidays, but I expect even more this season,” he said.