The High Council for Public Health (HCSP) has issued a recommendation on the establishment of a government stockpile of antiviral drugs effective against influenza viruses, based on a review of the literature and modeling of epidemic dynamics.

Accordingly, the HCSP recommends:

• diversifying the antiviral drugs against pandemic influenza in the government stockpile by adding baloxavir and zanamivir to oseltamivir in order to cover 30% of the French population, or 20 million treatment courses;
• to maintain oseltamivir stockpiles at the highest possible level;
• to consider a pandemic preparedness strategy that includes, in addition to a pre-established stockpile, a supplementary component per epidemic tailored to the characteristics of the pandemic;
• to promote access to antiviral drugs within the first 48 hours of symptom onset;
• to establish a continuum for influenza treatments with the management of seasonal influenza by strengthening the system for combating seasonal influenza;
• to develop other components of influenza pandemic preparedness: stockpiles of masks, accessible rapid diagnostic tests.