There is no evidence that Tamiflu, the drug being stockpiled by Britain, the United States and Europe, will work if a flu pandemic takes off in humans, according to a review published today by the Lancet medical journal.
None of the four existing drugs against influenza has much effect, the paper says. The authors strongly warn against relying on drugs to stamp out a potential avian flu pandemic, saying complacency could get in the way of more useful public health measures - such as hygiene and isolation - to stop the spread of infection.
[...] While the drugs might reduce patients' symptoms, the authors say the use of Tamiflu could actually increase the spread of the flu virus. If people take the drug and have fewer symptoms they may end up going to work and spreading the potentially lethal virus.
From the Guardian. Last week the CDC reported the common influenza has grown increasingly resistant to antivirals, adding to the concern the drugs may not be effective in a flu pandemic.
