The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

Prompt assessment and consideration of antiviral treatment is especially important for people at greater risk of severe outcomes from pandemic influenza, people with more severe illness or whose condition begins to deteriorate. Patients clinically assessed as requiring antiviral treatment can be given a prescription for an antiviral course from the national supply, and receive that free from a pharmacy - they won't have to pay a surcharge. Antiviral agents can play an important role in reducing the severity and length of illness due to influenza, and are best given in the first two days after symptoms appear. More information is available here.