Tamiflu use called into question by UK report

The UK government and health policy decision makers are being called upon to review the guidance on the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir), from Swiss drug major Roche (ROG: SIX), on the basis of new research.

The updated Cochrane evidence review, published today by global health care research network The Cochrane Collaboration and the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that Tamiflu shortens symptoms of influenza by half a day, but there is no evidence to support claims that it reduces admissions to hospital or complications of influenza. Evidence from treatment trials confirms increased risk of suffering from nausea and vomiting, and when Tamiflu was used in prevention trials there was an increased risk of headaches, psychiatric disturbances and renal events. Although when used as a preventative treatment, the drug can reduce the risk of people suffering symptomatic influenza, it is unproven that it can stop people carrying the influenza virus and spreading it to others.

The latest updated Cochrane Review: Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in healthy adults and children, is based on full internal reports of 20 Tamiflu and 26 Relenza (zanamivir), from UK pharma major GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK), trials. These trials involved more than 24,000 people and the findings challenge the historical assumption that neuraminidase inhibitors are effective in combating influenza. The evidence also suggests there are insufficient grounds to support the use of Tamiflu in preventing person-to-person spread of influenza. It adds that the USA has spent more than $1.3 billion buying a strategic reserve of antivirals, while in the UK the government has spent almost £424 million ($710 million) for a stockpile of about 40 million doses.