FDA Orders Caution Over the Use of Tamiflu
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=56720
Tamiflu, a drug used for treating influenza, including
human bird flu infection, is to carry a warning in the USA,
after reports of cases of delirium, self-harm, hallucinations
and suicidal thoughts, mostly among children, were received
in Japan. The warning already exists in Japan.
Between August 2005 - July 2006 there were 103 cases of
psychiatric side-effects, of which 68 involved children
under 17.
Roche Holdings, Switzerland, the makers of Tamiflu,
says it will work with regulators to make sure the
medication's labeling is accurate.
It is still not clear whether the side effects are due
to the drug, the illness it is supposed to treat (flu),
or both.
Tamiflu is seen as part of a worldwide drive to shore up
defenses against a possible spread of bird flu infection
among humans. Several governments have been increasing
their stocks of Tamiflu. The USA has a stock of 16 million
doses, and expects to eventually have 50 million.
Several US states are also planning to keep stocks.
Tamiflu is widely used in Japan.
Rumsfeld's growing stake in Tamiflu
http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/31/news/newsmakers/fortune_rumsfeld/
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