Tamiflu, the anti-flu drug being taken in record amounts, doesn't prevent serious complications from the flu and shouldn't be used for routine control of the flu in healthy adults, according to Public Citizen.
Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization, has called for an independent review of raw data from clinical trials funded by Tamiflu's maker, Roche.
The company has claimed that the drug dramatically reduced hospital admissions as well as bronchitis and pneumonia. But, a recent investigation by the British Medical Journal and British TV Channel 4 concluded that such claims were meritless.
With of widespread media coverage of the H1N1 virus, Tamiflu sales have skyrocketed. In October, 2.5 million prescriptions were filled in the U.S. compared to 35,000 prescriptions in October 2008. During 2009, 6.8 million prescriptions were written, compared with 4.3 million in 2008.
All the clinical research conducted to determine the effectiveness of Tamiflu on healthy adults has been funded by Roche.
The British investigation involved a review of published studies examining the effects of Tamiflu in preventing serious complications of the flu in otherwise healthy adults. The authors concluded that Tamiflu shouldn't be used in routine control of seasonal influenza. They also were concern about underreporting of side effects of the drug.
For more information for boomer consumers, see my blog The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide.
Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization, has called for an independent review of raw data from clinical trials funded by Tamiflu's maker, Roche.
The company has claimed that the drug dramatically reduced hospital admissions as well as bronchitis and pneumonia. But, a recent investigation by the British Medical Journal and British TV Channel 4 concluded that such claims were meritless.
With of widespread media coverage of the H1N1 virus, Tamiflu sales have skyrocketed. In October, 2.5 million prescriptions were filled in the U.S. compared to 35,000 prescriptions in October 2008. During 2009, 6.8 million prescriptions were written, compared with 4.3 million in 2008.
All the clinical research conducted to determine the effectiveness of Tamiflu on healthy adults has been funded by Roche.
The British investigation involved a review of published studies examining the effects of Tamiflu in preventing serious complications of the flu in otherwise healthy adults. The authors concluded that Tamiflu shouldn't be used in routine control of seasonal influenza. They also were concern about underreporting of side effects of the drug.
For more information for boomer consumers, see my blog The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide.
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