On August 29, 2009, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced the release of 250,000 doses of Tamiflu to local health bureaus in counties and cities around the nation or directly to local clinics. The release was approved by the commander of CECC, Minister of Health Chih-Liang Yaung, in the evening of August 28, 2009. After Tamiflu was included in the coverage of the National Health Insurance, the demand for Tamiflu has been on the rise.

Although clinics have been purchasing Tamiflu from Roche, the supply fails to meet the increasing demand.Hence, CECC has decided to release Tamiflu from the national stockpile.For fair distribution, 250,000 doses of Tamiflu will be rationed to each city and county according to the population of the city or county.To prevent hoarding of Tamiflu, after clinics have received the drug, they should pay for the doses of the drug at reimbursement price within three months and they can not return the drug they received.Clinics can apply for medical care service reimbursement with the Bureau of National Health Insurance according to the relevant regulations when they prescribe Tamiflu.The Bureau of National Health Insurance will then reimburse the clinics NT$950 for each box of Tamiflu prescribed.

Besides the clinics that are already providing Tamiflu, the new clinics that will provide Tamiflu will be decided by the local health bureaus in each city and county.Beginning September 1, 2009, the drugs will be allocated to the designated clinics and the delivery process is scheduled to be completed within a week.

In addition, the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of Tamiflu is also available for release to hospitals when necessary. To reach the predetermined goal of stockpiling Tamiflu for 30% of the national population, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) is currently making Tamiflu purchases with Roche.

On the other hand, CECC announced the latest pandemic influenza A (H1N1) epidemic update in Taiwan. No new death has occurred.Eleven new cases have been hospitalized, including a 3-year-old boy, a 34-year-old male, a 50-year-old female and a 54 year-old male who reside in northern Taiwan, a 10-year-old boy and a 19-year-old female who reside in central Taiwan, a 6-year-old boy, an 18-year-old male and a 37-year-old male who reside in southern Taiwan, and a 71-year-old female who resides in eastern Taiwan. A total of 12 cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection are currently hospitalized for treatment.Of the cases, four have underlying diseases, including asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure and diabetes.A cumulative total of 65 inpatient cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection have been reported.Of the inpatient cases, 35 have been discharged, 25 are currently hospitalized for treatment and 5 have died.