Prescription flu drugs could provide lifesaving early protection against bird flu if the virus disastrously mutates into a worldwide pandemic, but experts warn that supplies will quickly run out unless governments stockpile the medicines.

Early talks are going on between the U.S. government and one maker about providing a large quantity for use in a pandemic, but at best the medicine is still months away.

If enough was available, the drugs could help buy time until a vaccine is developed to stop the flu’s spread.

Experts say the flu drugs could shorten illness and prevent lethal complications for flu victims — as well as keep healthy people from catching it, especially health care workers.

Doctors say only one brand, Tamiflu, is practical for large-scale stockpiling, but so far no government has bought the big amounts needed for a pandemic. For now, worldwide supplies are skimpy, because the drugs are not widely used to treat ordinary flu.