The Tamiflu saga continues: will our conduct change after the publication of the latest systematic review on benefits and harms of oseltamivir?
In 2013, we wrote about the harm, waste and deception stemming from conducts adopted by the pharmaceutical industry, by concealing raw data and Clinical Study Reports (CSRs) from the regulators view when requesting the marketing patent. We described the case of Tamiflu (Roche), a drug that has been widely used in our population and profusely prescribed by physicians. Health authorities, entailing a great cost for the countries in the region, have also purchased it. In this editorial, we will show how the idea of using antivirals for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza took hold, starting from the first enthusiastic recommendations up to the systematic review published last month in the BMJ.
Editora jefe, Medwave. Address: Villaseca 21, oficina 702, Ñuñoa, Santiago de Chile. Email: vbachelet@medwave.cl.
Vivienne C
VC
Bachelet
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir