By Community Correspondent, Philippa Hennessy Local GP, Dr Michael Barrie of Coombe Medical Practice, has told that foreign patients visiting the UK for just a couple of days have been picking up Tamiflu. According to the Kingston NHS, some 80 people a day are allowed to get the drug. Barrie believes that there should be safeguards about who has access to the drugs because they cost a lot of money.

A Department of Health spokesman said: “Anyone who is in the country, whether visitors or illegal immigrants, would be given antivirals both to treat them and help reduce the spread of flu to others.

“If someone had no suitable identification they would have to see a GP and be referred by the GP to the antiviral collection point.”