No evidence to prove Tamiflu prevents complications

Whilst the nation has been taking comfort in attempting to lessen their call centre diagnosed swine flu with Tamiflu, a joint investigation by the BMJ and Channel 4 News has found there is no clear evidence that the antiviral drug prevents complications like pneumonia in healthy people.

Its claimed effectiveness against flu complications has led the UK government to stockpile the drug at an estimated £500m.

A 2006 study acknowledges that the drug has a modest effect in reducing flu symptoms in otherwise healthy adults by around one day but there is no data to prove that it causes a reduction in complications.

Editor in Chief of the BMJ, Dr Fiona Godlee, warns that this latest investigation leaves important questions about effectiveness unresolved.

She says: “Governments around the world have spent billions of pounds on a drug that the scientific community now finds itself unable to judge.”

The use of Tamiflu has increased since the swine flu pandemic began in April 2009. The drug has been seen as the answer to treating the pandemic.

Professor Nick Freemantle  from the University of Birmingham believes that the benefit of attempting to stop pneumonia in healthy people who contract flu is small compared to the side effects and safety.

Professor Freemantle says he sees: “very little evidence to support the widespread use of oseltamivir in the otherwise healthy population who are developing signs of influenza like illness.”

“We have remarkably few resources in this country to spend on pharmaceuticals on health and it’s surprising to see such widespread use of oseltamivir. But I suppose that once you’ve gone and bought lots of doses then it’s a bit like the situation with gun control in the US. If you have a gun in the house it’s much easier to use it. But it does not mean it’s the right thing to do.”