E-DRUG: Rationing Oseltamivir?
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Dear E-druggers,
and a rort for regulators?
http://www.emea.europa.eu/htms/human/pandemicinfluenza/novelflu.htm
While I like to maintain that the 'pandemic' is an epidemic/outbreak of a rare H1N1 variant but spread around the world by massive air-travelling or men, women and babies (something we manage to create for ourselves as we did in the years before 1918 with massive migration of soldiers in Europe) but technically unlike "the real great plagues, which forged their relentless passage across the world" read: 'on their own' (save trade routes and slave trade, war),
this from a colleague student:
"CDC approaches use of Oseltamivir or Zanamavir for those at high risk of medical complications and to preserve the functionality of exposed health care workers (who don't use respiratory protection), not as a public control measure. Early indiscriminate use will easily lead to resistance, but so will any use, eventually.
The Avian Panflu discussion had supposed to prioritize (i.e. ration) meds in a pandemic for key populations: "vital" public service. But no one, as far as I know, publicly admits who is or isn't actually vital. One wonders if Tamiflu will be of any benefit next year for more than a couple months - might as well use it [and extend shelf lives, age groups...!] while it works for this bug. Interestingly [in terms of immunization] I've been hearing of purposefully getting the new virus now, before it might kill you next year"
regards
Pascal Verhoeven
Pharmacist
verhoeven.pascal@gmail.com
New number +31634041441