massive switch to relenza by govt

Sorry if this has already been posted. it just confirms all the main points i've posted.

Remember this is all before swine flu !!!!


''Demand for Relenza was stoked by reports of widespread resistance of H1N1, a common seasonal flu virus, to Tamiflu. The U.K. and Japan increased orders for the drug to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic on concern Tamiflu-evading seasonal flu could exchange genes with a pandemic strain, making that pill a weaker weapon to fight a global contagion. Almost all H1N1 samples tested last winter were resistant to Tamiflu, the World Health Organization said.

“Governments are balancing their stockpiles” by including more Relenza, said Stephen Rea, a Glaxo spokesman, in an April 24 phone interview. “Our expectation would be that other governments would follow suit. Our view would be the U.S. government would also be persuaded.”

Governments ordered about 220 million pounds ($322 million) worth of Relenza in the three months ended March, Rea said. That compares with orders for Tamiflu of 304 million Swiss francs ($266 million), Basel, Switzerland-based Roche said April 17.



http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aspw2HWi_6K8&refer=home