Governments Stockpiling Tamiflu to Prepare for Potential Flu Pandemic

February 17th, 2007

The U.S. government has stocked a supply of Tamiflu and other antiviral medications, some 21 million doses, to be used in case of a flu pandemic such as the 1918 Spanish Flu. It is believed these drugs would be effective for treatment or prevention of wide-scale “avian” or bird flu if it arrives on our shores. Countries such as Great Britain have done a commendable job in obtaining enough Tamiflu and other antivirals to treat its population.

As governments around the world prepare for the potential emergence of a deadly flu pandemic, they are looking at several strategies. A different class of antivirals known as ion channel inhibitors (amantadine and rimantadine) used in combination with neuraminidase inhibitors such as Tamiflu, could play an important role.  An article published in the British Medical Journal indicated that taking only amantadine or rimantadine would be more likely than Tamiflu to produce unacceptable side effects and to be associated with a rapid emergence of resistance. British researchers emphasized the benefits of a combination therapy – ion channel inhibitors and neuraminidase inhibitors.

The World Health Organization also endorsed combined use of the two types of antivirals, especially in planning for some future flu pandemic. In laboratory tests, the combined antivirals even prevented emergence of resistant strains of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus. These chemically stable, antiviral drugs have a long shelf life and could be stored for long periods.

The U.S., the U.K., and Greece are already stockpiling ion channel inhibitors in addition to neruraminidase inhibitors such as Tamiflu. Research scientists and governments are cooperating to confront the potential emergence of a virus that could be spread by migrating birds and people on international flights. If the H5N1 virus eventually changes into a form easily transmitted from one person to another, the resulting flu pandemic would rapidly sweep around the globe.

Sources:  Science Daily;

Entry Filed under: COLD & FLU,Cold & Flu,PRESCRIPTION DRUGS