The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7397 p470
22 April 2006

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Europe generally well prepared for an influenza pandemic

European countries are generally well prepared for an influenza pandemic, but co-operation between countries needs to be improved, a review of national plans published online has concluded (The Lancet 20 April 2006).

Researchers examined published pandemic influenza plans from 19 European countries. “Preparedness levels are broadly good, surveillance and monitoring capacities allied to laboratory capacity are well developed, and the public-health infrastructure is robust,” the researchers conclude. However, improved co-operation between countries is needed to share experience and to ensure coherence of approaches, they add.