Why Tamiflu may not help?

Governments across the world are stockpiling a drug called Tamiflu. Tamiflu also known by its generic name Oseltamivir is probably the most effective antiviral for flu currently on the market. Another product called Relenza has a similar effect. Both these drugs need to be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms and reduce the length of the flu by 1-3 days. So we are all safe then? Wrong there are several thing that should make you worry.

• Roche, the manufacturer of Tamiflu has warned people not to buy the product over the internet as there have been several cases reported of fake copies of the drug being sold to unsuspecting consumers. US customs recently seized a shipment of fake Tamiflu.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the beginning of 2006 tested two older antiviral flu drugs, Rimantadine and Amantadine and found that 91% of the samples tested were resistant to the drugs. A year previous the figure was 11% were resistant and the year before less than 2% were.