Oseltamivir (Generic Tamiflu) Resistant Viruses Recognized
Health specialists in Japan, Denmark and Hong Kong [administered by China] have contacted the WHO and notified them of concerns about resistance to the antiviral drug Tamiflu on novel H1N1 influenza viruses discovered in laboratory testing. The viruses which were found in three patients with less than severe cases of influenza, all having since been deemed recovered by officials yet disturbing news nonetheless. They found that zanamivir [relenza] appeared to remain potent against the same viruses.
Nearly one thousand virus samples of H1N1 pandemic influenza have been studied by the WHO’s Global Surveillance Network labs to test for antiviral medication resistance. All viruses showed sensitivity to tamiflu and zanamivir. The WHO and its members will carry on with their scrutinizing of tamiflu and relenza and virus resistance of the drugs.
The resistance shown to the medication tamiflu are considered irregular and random cases of resistance. There has been no extensive antiviral resistance displayed by pandemic H1N1 influenza viruses on these drugs in evidence so after assessing the threat potential the WHO has declined to modify their treatment direction and tamiflu remains an important tool in public health preparedness.