Can Tamiflu Tackle Swine Flu?

Experts would be consulted on the way anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu are used to tackle the swine flu pandemic, and possible drug resistance, said the World Health Organization.

"In the coming days we're having technical consultations by teleconference regarding antivirals," said spokeswoman Aphaluck Bhatiasevi.

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Pharmacies in Tower Hamlets don't stock Tamifli these days. The east London borough has Britain's highest swine flu rate, and the drug is only available at a secret distribution centre.

"But as of now WHO's recommendations for use of antivirals has not changed," she added.

"They will be looking at specifics related to antiviral resistance and use of oseltamivir. WHO's recommendation for use of oseltamivir is for treatment," she underlined.

Oseltamivir is the active ingredient of Tamiflu, one of two drugs the WHO recommends to treat influenza A(H1N1).

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A leading doctor has warned that the deadly swine flu could become resistant to Tamiflu, the only drug that can treat the virus.

Different countries have gradually evolved different approaches on the use of Tamiflu, normally a prescription drug and some have been distributing it more widely to fearful populations than others.

But some doctors have expressed fears that excessive use, especially for preventive purposes or to tackle mild symptoms, could lead to the development of wider drug resistance and reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu.

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Health officials in Canada recently identified a case of drug resistance, adding to cases in Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan.

Roche, the manufacturers of Tamiflu, has said it expects a 0.5 percent rate of case resistance based on clinical trials.

Source-AFP
ARU