The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7388 p195
18 February 2006

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Range of antivirals may be stockpiled by DoH

Antivirals may be stockpiled in readiness for an influenza pandemic, the Department of Health has suggested.

Health minister Rosie Winterton said: “Officials are actively reviewing the antiviral strategy in the context of emerging data and we are looking carefully at other antivirals as a possible back-up to oseltamivir.”

She said that the DoH has been approached by GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of zanamivir (Relenza), in relation to supply for pandemic preparedness, but that there are practical issues concerning the use of Relenza during a pandemic, since it is not licensed for prevention of influenza, or for use in children, and has to be administered via inhalation.