Tamiflu effective for treatment and prevention of influenza in children 1 year...(er dose capsules which will be available...)

Date:11/15/2007

er dose capsules which will be available in the US and Europe this season provide a convenient alternative for the treatment and prevention of influenza types A and B in children one year and older. Furthermore, since the smaller capsules have a longer shelf life than the suspension formulation (five years vs. two years), they also offer an improved option for government pandemic stockpiling.

About Tamiflu

Tamiflu, an oral neuraminidase inhibitor, is designed to be active against all clinically relevant influenza viruses. It works by blocking the action of the neuraminidase enzyme on the surface of the virus. When neuraminidase is inhibited, the virus is not able to spread to and infect other cells in the body. Tamiflu is the only member of the neuraminidase class of drugs approved for use in treatment and prevention of influenza in children 1 to 5 years of age.

Flu's Impact on Children

Influenza is particularly dangerous for the most vulnerable and this includes young children and infants .Children younger than two years old are as likely as those over age 65 to be hospitalized because of influenza. It is estimated that children are three times more likely to get sick with the flu on average, one in 10 adults is affected by influenza annually, compared with one in three children. There is a high need for influenza treatments for children as they are more severely affected by seasonal influenza compared to adults.

Roches efforts to support government pandemic stockpiling

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that stockpiling antivirals in advance is presently the only way to ensure that sufficient supplies are available in the event of a pandemic. Roche has been working closely with WHO and national governments to ensure governments are aware of the importance of stockpiling antivirals in the event of a pandemic situation. Roche has received and fulfilled pandemic orders for Tamiflu totalling 215
'/>"/>

Contact: Lucy Rispin lucy.rispin@ketchum.com 44-207-611-3621 Ketchum Source:Eurekalert

2 GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. Gamma globulin effective in treating eye infections caused by adenoviruses
2. UC health news: molecular pathway may predict chemotherapy effectiveness
3. Socioeconomic position associated with effectiveness of HIV drugs
4. New nanoparticle vaccine is more effective but less expensive
5. MIT model could improve some drugs effectiveness
6. Trial seeks genetic fingerprint for predicting drug effectiveness
7. New hope for horse lovers as effective control for killer ragwort is proposed
8. Quantitative PET imaging finds early determination of effectiveness of cancer treatment
9. Gene, stem cell therapy only needs to be 50 percent effective to create a healthy heart
10. Nicotinic receptors may be important targets for treatment of multiple addictions
11. A new radiation therapy treatment developed for head and neck cancer patients