| As a
consequence of the possibility of the Bird Flu virus spreading to
Europe from the Far East, partly along bird migratory routes, and
the possibility of a pandemic developing, the Government is
following World Health Organisation recommendations to stockpile
antiviral drugs in suitable quantities. An order has been placed for
the drug Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) which is manufactured by Roche and is
the drug of choice against this virus in most countries. Although a
world-wide shortage of Oseltamivir is already beginning to occur, as
countries begin stockpiling large quantities of the drug as part of
their own contingency planning, the Government has been able to
obtain a manufacturing slot.
A pandemic is defined as a
large-scale outbreak of disease occurring over a wide geographic
area across the world and affecting an exceptionally high proportion
of the population. |
