Drug pushers laughing their way to the bank
By Writestreet
The A(H1N1) scare has caused many to rush to the doctors for antiviral drugs even in Malaysia.
The ones WHO recommended for the swine flu virus are identical with those believed effective for the avian flu virus: Tamiflu made by Roche and Relanza produced by GlaxoSmithKline, according to a report by China Daily
According to stock market analysis, both companies saw their share prices rise by about 8% in late April, just after the outbreak. These drugs are not cheap (I can’t seem to find the prices – I think about RM7 each or something).
Some time ago, a group of Malaysian researchers did a survey and found that the prices of some of the medicine / drugs sold in Malaysia were about 300% more than the global market.
Oh btw, US FDA recommends that Tamiflu and Relenza should carry warnings about possible side-effects because there had been reports of patients experiencing delirium, psychosis and hallucinations. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is a pill, while Relenza (zanamivir) is inhaled – not recommended for patients of all ages.
Reports from Japan indicate that children, particularly, may have a higher risk of experiencing these psychiatric side effects after receiving the flu drugs. Tamiflu and Relenza are the most common medications used for the treatment of flu.
So why is WHO backing the pharmaceutical giants, and why are drug prices in Malaysia so high?
