Reports accuse WHO of exaggerating H1N1 threat, possible ties to drug makers

[happy_liberal]

European criticism of the World Health Organization's handling of the H1N1 pandemic intensified Friday with the release of two reports that accused the agency of exaggerating the threat posed by the virus and failing to disclose possible influence by the pharmaceutical industry on its recommendations for how countries should respond.

The WHO's response caused widespread, unnecessary fear and prompted countries around the world to waste millions of dollars, according to one report. At the same time, the Geneva-based arm of the United Nations relied on advice from experts with ties to drug makers in developing the guidelines it used to encourage countries to stockpile millions of doses of antiviral medications, according to the second report.

The reports outlined the drumbeat of criticism that has arisen, primarily in Europe, of how the world's leading health organization responded to the first influenza pandemic in more than four decades.

"For WHO, its credibility has been badly damaged," wrote Fiona Godlee, the editor of the BMJ, a prominent British medical journal, that published one of the reports. "WHO must act now to restore its credibility."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/04/AR2010060403034.html

[happy_liberal]

1. where are the swine flu vaccine defenders?

They were here just a minute ago...

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. The vaccine killed 'em.

[Bluebear]

4. Here, what do you want?

People were going by the information they had at the time. The fact of this exaggeration tied to drug companies is not surprising to me in the least, but how would people know that?

[happy_liberal]

11. you seem nice, you were misled which is why this is unacceptable

They know people trust them, so now they misuse it whenever they want to make a buck.

At this point I know not to trust a damn thing they say, but then what if they were actually telling the truth one time?


There are a group of very abrasive people that attack anyone that doesn't go along with the corporate media line...they know who they are...

[Bluebear]

13. Gotcha XOXOX

And my point, especially for people with underlying health conditions, etc., is, they are terrified of each new ill that otherwise people can shrug off...

And you are 100% correct, it is the notion of money and profit that is at the root :(

[ohheckyeah]

2. There's a shock...

NOT.

[itsrobert]

5. I told all you swine flu pandemic idiots

Waiting for my apology........

[Bluebear]

6. Why would anybody apologize to you after you call them idiots?

Can you be any more abrasive?

[itsrobert]

7. I meant to be

No disrepect to idiots.

[Bluebear]

8. De rigeur :(

[KittyWampus]

9. anyone ever questioning the Medical Establishment on DU WILL be labeled a woo.

Or, in this case, an "anti-vaccine" typhoid mary.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

12. Especially if you falsely claim there's a link between vaccines and autism.

As you yourself are known for.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. The H1N1 pandemic killed nearly 15,000 people. Confirmed.

That's about five times worse than 9-11, to put things into perspective.

Would have killed a lot more without swift action from organizations like WHO. And even if they had overreacted, which I doubt, better an overreaction than an underreaction.

[girl gone mad]

14. Just admit you were wrong.

Is that so tough?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. It's easy.

Just tell me where I'm wrong.

[Canuckistanian]

16. I give up. Who?

Sorry, I just like to riff on the acronym.

[Bluebear]

19. hehehe

[lovuian]

17. Yes Who was in bed with Big Pharma

and the New World Order

[xchrom]

18. The swine flu is dangerous -- that there are

People influenced by by money is a differrentvflu
so to speak.

That killed and will kill a lot of people.

The vaccine appropriate.
Anti-vaccine hysteria is not.