Drugs giant Roche accused of sitting on trial data for flu treatment

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Independent

The pharmaceutical giant Roche is being accused of irresponsibly withholding key trial data about a vital flu drug on which governments around the world have spent billions of pounds.

The anti-flu drug Tamiflu has been stockpiled by countries against the outbreak of a flu pandemic since 2004. The UK alone has spent £500m.

Yesterday, the British Medical Journal launched a campaign to persuade Roche to give doctors and patients the full data on Tamiflu, three years after doubts about its safety and efficacy emerged.

In 2009, researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration found that results of eight out of 10 key trials of Tamiflu were never fully published and concluded there was "insufficient data" to show it reduced complications – a vital factor in a pandemic which could save lives.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/drugs-giant-roche-accused-of-sitting-on-trial-data-for-flu-treatment-8262319.html

[SoapBox]

1. LOL

Surprised?

Anyone?

Hands?

...crickets...

[bullimiami]

2. Rummy

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1176743/Donald-Rumsfelds-controversial-links-drug-company-Tamiflu.html

[SoapBox]

4. ACCCCKKKK!

Warning to everyone opening the link...don't "toss your cookies" when you see the pic!

Oh...and that will only be until you get so freak'n mad that you may just puke anyway!

Thanks bullimiami for the link (no, seriously thank you! )

[BlueNoteSpecial]

3. $.............................................$

Shocked

[truthisfreedom]

5. Rummie rummie rummie.

[savannah43]

6. I was wondering why one can now get a flu shot at a supermarket.

There are signs advertising flu shots at shopping centers all over the area I live in. Even ads coming in the mail in sale flyers. They must be trying to cash in on their remaining stock of flu shots before releasing a cure for the flu. Big Pharma is likely withholding a cure for cancer, too, as they are making so much money "treating" it. If they cure it, they would be violating the only corporate law they choose to or are required to honor--making a profit. Too bad for the rest of us that they don't treat responsibilities like they treat their rights. You know, like the rest of us people have to do. Why the Supreme Court has not required this from them is the bigger crime and it's against the rest of us.

[Mojorabbit]

8. There is not much profit on flu shots

My husband gives them in his office as a courtesy to his patients but it costs us more than he charges them. It is a good public health policy to have as many people vaccinated as possible against catching the flu. I think companies, ie drug stores, do it now so cheaply as a loss leader to draw customers in. They are not making much profit on the vaccination itself.

Tamiflu is a pill for when you get the flu and is supposed to make it a milder shorter experience though it is looking like that is not the case.

[GeorgeGist]

10. Frankly savannah ...

preventing the flu is cheaper than curing it.

[bananas]

7. "Roche is being accused of irresponsibly withholding key trial data"

"Remember, Jerry, it's not a crime if you were stupid enough to believe it"
"Remember, Jerry, it's not a crime if you don't get caught"

I'm paraphrasing, those are not exact quotes.

[Overseas]

9. K&R. Need to know.

Pandemic profiteering! How cruel.

[RobinA]

11. The Whole Flu Prevention

biz is without statistical evidence. Maybe this will bring that to the fore.

[arikara]

12. This was evident years ago

after all, pharmaceutical companies and Rummy are involved. Crooks and liars.