Oseltamivir – Tamiflu
According to the best available evidence, this drug can shorten the symptoms of influenza-like illness by one and a half day. However, sales of Tamiflu® skyrocketed in 2005 with the blessing of the World Health Organisation, in the context of looming fears about a pandemic. How did a very expensive drug that is far from revolutionary become a blockbuster?
The history of Tamiflu® is marked by conflicts of interest, “bad science” and the critical assessment by a group of scientists with the Cochrane Collaboration.
Investigative documentary:
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2011: “L’influenza degli affari” (The Tamiflu Saga. A pandemic business)
This 56 Minutes investigative documentary shot in Japan, Italy, United Kingdom and Switzerland tracks back the success story of Tamiflu, the drug governments stockpiled to get ready for a pandemic. It also reveals the doubts as to the drug effectiveness and safety circulating in the scientific community. An affair of our days on public health, transparency, conflicts of interest and side effects. This was a collaboration among Swiss TV shows Falò RSI and Rundschau SRF, CBC/Radio-Canada, and NPR. At the 2011 Global Conference of Investigative Journalism, this Tamiflu investigation was awarded with a Daniel Pearl Award (Special Citation and a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding International Investigating Reporting) and was shortcut for the IRE Awards. A project by Serena Tinari with Frédéric Zalac (CBC), Sandra Bartlett and Susanne Reber (NPR), Harry Häner (RSI) and Reto Padrutt (SRF).
Available in Italian and in German. English transcript (PDF) available here.
More background on this affair on the dedicated British Medical Journal website.
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2006: “Tamiflu. Un farmaco per noi polli” (Tamiflu. A Drug for the Birds?)
This article published by Serena Tinari features what was known at the time about Tamiflu’s poor profile, and the powerful actors behind its marketing. Published in Italian on il manifesto. Available here in English and here in French.
