Now GPs told: Give patients Tamiflu pill
But Oxford professor says it’s no better than paracetamol
HEALTH bosses desperate to contain the worsening flu outbreak have authorised the use of controversial antiviral drugs.
Tamiflu and other antivirals should be given to the most vulnerable people with symptoms of flu, according to a ‘health alert’ sent to all GPs.
But officials also suggested the drugs be used as a preventative measure for elderly people, even if they have received the flu vaccine – which is feared not to work for over-65s this year.
In some parts of the country, doctors have been told to give all care home residents the antivirals – whether they are ill or not – in a bid to stop the crisis spreading.
A leading scientist last night condemned the decision, saying there is no evidence antivirals are effective.
If he is right, it will mean by the end of the winter countless pensioners will have received an ineffective flu jab, followed by ineffective antiviral pills, and still be at risk of getting flu.
Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, sent the alert on December 19 to all GPs in England granting them permission to use pills such as Tamiflu.
This alert is sent at some point in the winter most years – but this year it can be used as a preventative measure, not just as a treatment.
However, Professor Carl Heneghan of Oxford University, who published a major study four years ago suggesting Tamiflu is ineffective, said: ‘The chief medical officer seems not to be able to understand evidence-based medicine.
‘We have shown Tamiflu leads to only a small reduction in symptoms – about the same you get from taking paracetamol.’
He added last night: ‘The Government is scared of being seen to do nothing – but they have tied themselves into the position where they have to give these drugs every year.’
Official figures show the NHS is in the midst of its worst flu outbreak in seven years.
The problem is likely to have been made worse because the main H3N2 flu strain circulating this year is resistant against vaccination among the elderly.
Advice published by Public Health England in September said GPs could consider using antiviral pills among healthy over- 65s, because ‘seasonal influenza vaccination may be less effective’.
It added: ‘Clinicians should note however, that such use is outside the NICE guidance recommendations and would therefore be a matter for individual clinical judgment.’ Tamiflu was subject to a major controversy after the NHS spent £600million stockpiling pills in the wake of the 2009 swine flu crisis.
Officials last night insisted antivirals are effective.
Nick Phin, interim deputy director of the National Infection Service, said: ‘Flu is an unpredictable virus, but immunisation to prevent influenza and antivirals to treat and reduce spread are the best defence we have against it.’
A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘Tamiflu is a licensed product with a proven record of safety and quality.
‘They are particularly helpful to at-risk patients and those severely unwell with flu, especially when they are used when symptoms start.’