Swine Flu Drug May Not Work

Roche Accused of Suppressing Evidence Swine Flu Drug May Not Work

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/283495

Research published in the British Medical Journal suggests that Tamiflu has only a modest effect on influenza symptoms in otherwise healthy patients.
A systematic review undertaken by researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration’s Acute Respiratory Infections Group has found that oseltamivir, sold by Roche under the brand name Tamiflu, may only have a modest effect on reducing the symptoms of influenza. It was noted that this effect is only in relation to seasonal influenza and not the pandemic swine flu.
The research report in the British Medical Journal notes that data from some studies into oseltamivir’s effectiveness and safety were unable to be included in the current review of effectiveness. This was due to the inability of Tamiflu manufacturer, Roche to unconditionally provide the information to the researchers in relation to 10 trials of the drug’s effectiveness and safety which had been funded by the company. Roche has since agreed to make the data available to the scientific community via a password protected website.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, research team leader and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Research at Bond University in Queensland, Professor Chris Del Mar said:

“Roche refused to release its data unless the team signed unacceptable secrecy agreements. It makes us wonder what's there. It was a secrecy clause which had to be itself secret - we wouldn't even be able to say we'd signed it."

In September, Roche released details of observational studies, one of which it had supported, that found Tamiflu provided benefits to patients with severe seasonal influenza and avian influenza. According to the Press Association, in relation to the current research of the Cochrane Collaboration, a spokeswoman for Roche said

“Roche stands behind the robustness and integrity of the data supporting the efficacy and safety of Tamiflu.”

Demand for Tamiflu has remained strong in recent months and in October, Roche announced that expected full year sales of Tamiflu would be in the region of $2.7 billion.
The Cochrane Collaboration is a not-for-profit organisation comprised of researchers and consumers investigating the effectiveness of treatments for health conditions and providing information on evidence based health care options. A systematic review involves analyzing previously published randomly controlled clinical trials of a drug or other treatment.