January 23, 2006

Experts question effectiveness of bird flu drug

A day after The Lancet, a medical journal, published research reporting that doctors found no evidence that Tamiflu was effective against bird flu, its producer Roche issued a statement claiming otherwise. 

The company said that tests on animals have shown the drug is an effective treatment for the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus if administered early. However, more studies were needed as to the dosage to be given in order to effectively fight the virus in humans.

Many countries, on the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), have stockpiled the drug, fearing a bird flu pandemic. WHO said it will not change its advice despite questions over its effectiveness.

Meanwhile, Thailand has pledged a total of THB100 million (US$2.5 million) to an international fund established to fight bird flu worldwide, said Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday.

Thailand's pledged financial aid is aimed at the other four member countries of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Thailand was chosen as the training center for health officials from other South-east Asian countries.

WHO's figures indicate that from 2003 to Jan 19, 2006, half of the 149 people  infected by avian flu came from ACMECS countries.

Meanwhile, the Russian government plans to spend more than US$40 million to combat bird flu in the former Soviet Union, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yakovenko said Saturday.

The government is considering a proposal to modernise epidemiological services and laboratories in Russia and the CIS, Yakovenko said in an interview with the Russian daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta.