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 11 October 2008 09:12 BST

Government 'failing' to use science in flu plans

Monday, 20 Nov 2006 13:35
Experts warn more than one antiviral is needed to tackle flu outbreak
The government is failing to take into account the best expert advice in its preparations for a possible flu outbreak, a new report has warned today.

Issued jointly by the Royal Society (RS) and the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), the report argues that the government needs to listen more to independent experts when making decisions about stockpiling antiviral drugs.

In early 2005 the government ordered stockpiles of the antiviral drug Tamiflu, but the report states that more than one antiviral should be ordered.

Although the report recognises that the UK is one of the most prepared countries in the world for a potential flu outbreak, Sir John Skehel, chair of the report's working group, said: "We are concerned that decisions are being made, as the UK prepares for a possible pandemic, that fail to take account of expert advice. For example, the decision to continue to stockpile just one antiviral drug is a major concern.

"This needs to be reconsidered. New evidence that H5N1 [the strain of avian flu virus] can develop resistance to Tamiflu indicates that a combination of antivirals should be stockpiled by the UK for the most effective management of a pandemic."

He added: "We are concerned that [the government] is not updating its plans as the landscape of what we know about influenza changes."

The RS and AMS recommend that a leading influenza specialist is appointed as a high-level, independent adviser to the government, who would ensure the latest scientific information reaches the ministerial committee which is responsible for preparing for a pandemic.

As it would not be possible to manufacture enough influenza vaccine globally in the event of a pandemic, they are also calling for the Department of Health to bring together academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop and improve vaccines to control the scale of a pandemic.

Speaking on BBC News 24, Conservative shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley, backed the report's proposals.

"What they say is perfectly reasonable - we ought to have a second line [of antivirals] available," he said. "If [an outbreak] happens we will not be able to manufacture a vaccine in short order. It is much better for us to think now about how we prepare."

Responding to the report, Professor Lindsey Davies, the Department of Health's director of pandemic influenza preparedness, said: "We are already addressing many of the report's recommendations in our ongoing pandemic preparedness planning. We will consider the recommendations of the report as we continue to develop this work.

"The UK continues to work with international partners, including the European Union and the WHO, to enhance global preparedness for a flu pandemic and support vaccine development."

Professor Davies added: "We do keep our pandemic preparedness planning under constant review with the advice and assistance of our scientific advisory group.

"Our antiviral strategy is informed by international consensus and expert advice, and the current stockpile should be adequate to treat all those who fall ill in a pandemic of similar proportions to those in the 20th century".

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there have been 258 confirmed human cases of avian flu (H5N1 strain), leading to 153 deaths worldwide. During the 1918-19 influenza outbreak roughly 50 million people died globally.End of story


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