tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
5th July 2010 - Figures from the National Pandemic Flu Service suggest that just one in eight - 12% - of patients given antivirals after contacting the helpline actually had swine flu.
The figures were obtained under a freedom of information request. Out of 16,560 people swabbed, only 1,932 tested positive.
The helpline cost ?13.5 million to set up but the running costs are covered by commercial confidentiality.
Antivirals
Between July 2009 when the helpline launched and February this year when it closed, there was no face to face consultation before the antivirals were prescribed. People in England who suspected they had swine flu were told to keep away from GP surgeries and instead were told to ring the pandemic helpline. People were then asked a series of questions by trained, but not medically qualified, staff. If swine flu was suspected at the end of the questions, arrangements were made for a friend or relative to collect Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) from special pick-up points.
Antivital medications are far stronger than normal cold and flu remedies, the side effects may include nervousness, poor concentration, nausea and vomiting. Unnecessary prescription of medications is a concern when fighting viruses, which can learn to fight off the medications over time. In November, cases of swine flu were reported in Wales which were resistant to Tamiflu.
Reaction
A Department of Health spokesperson says in a statement: "Swab testing samples of people through primary care is an established part of standard flu surveillance. This was not a diagnostic service, but was extended to the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) to monitor and assess the number of swine flu cases."
Katherine Murphy, Director of the Patients Association says in a statement: "We really do need to review this. It is a low number and we have to bear this in mind when thinking about pandemic planning."
The independent review into the UK?s response to swine flu by Dame Deirdre Hine recommended last week that the Department of Health should commission an independent evaluation of the National Pandemic Flu Service, covering value for money, risk analysis and any potential for wider application.
http://www.webmd.boots.com/cold-and-flu/news/20100705/only-one-in-eight-given-tamiflu-had-swine-flu
The figures were obtained under a freedom of information request. Out of 16,560 people swabbed, only 1,932 tested positive.
The helpline cost ?13.5 million to set up but the running costs are covered by commercial confidentiality.
Antivirals
Between July 2009 when the helpline launched and February this year when it closed, there was no face to face consultation before the antivirals were prescribed. People in England who suspected they had swine flu were told to keep away from GP surgeries and instead were told to ring the pandemic helpline. People were then asked a series of questions by trained, but not medically qualified, staff. If swine flu was suspected at the end of the questions, arrangements were made for a friend or relative to collect Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) from special pick-up points.
Antivital medications are far stronger than normal cold and flu remedies, the side effects may include nervousness, poor concentration, nausea and vomiting. Unnecessary prescription of medications is a concern when fighting viruses, which can learn to fight off the medications over time. In November, cases of swine flu were reported in Wales which were resistant to Tamiflu.
Reaction
A Department of Health spokesperson says in a statement: "Swab testing samples of people through primary care is an established part of standard flu surveillance. This was not a diagnostic service, but was extended to the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) to monitor and assess the number of swine flu cases."
Katherine Murphy, Director of the Patients Association says in a statement: "We really do need to review this. It is a low number and we have to bear this in mind when thinking about pandemic planning."
The independent review into the UK?s response to swine flu by Dame Deirdre Hine recommended last week that the Department of Health should commission an independent evaluation of the National Pandemic Flu Service, covering value for money, risk analysis and any potential for wider application.
http://www.webmd.boots.com/cold-and-flu/news/20100705/only-one-in-eight-given-tamiflu-had-swine-flu