Tamiflu - Snake Oil or the Real Deal

Millions of dollars are being flushed on Tamiflu as governments battle to show constituents their concern for a bird flu pandemic.

Perhaps as an overkill response to the recent hurricane fiasco yet somehow the marketers at Roche have succeeded in creating a viral (sic) spread of Lemming-like thinking and separating hard earned cash in the hope of staving off a human pandemic.

Let's clear our heads and have a look at this.

Have Roche ever claimed to have a cure for the mutation expected from H5N1 - Nope, check the web site for yourself. Get a grip, how could this possibly work when the mutated virus in a virulent form for humans has not developed yet.

What about the reality of taking Tamiflu every few days (cause that's all it is effective for) for months (duration of the pandemic) to get protection - all at $30 per dose.

This is a money making scam exploiting the fears of the world population manifesting itself as arguably the most successful medical marketing campaign ever.

What do you think - snake oil or the real deal?

Rezeens
http://birdflu.atspace.com

Indonesia now

Reports are comming in from Indonesia that at least 6 people have died from suspected bird flu. The bird flu hospital Sulianti Saroso is due to get assistance from Japanese experts. Is this is close enough to Australia for people to take notice?

Bird flu information>