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| Experts call for better flu plans | Experts call for better flu plans |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Leading scientists say the UK government is failing to take advantage of scientific developments in the fight to prevent a flu pandemic. | Leading scientists say the UK government is failing to take advantage of scientific developments in the fight to prevent a flu pandemic. |
| A report from the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences says it is inadequate to stockpile just one anti-viral drug. | A report from the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences says it is inadequate to stockpile just one anti-viral drug. |
| It warns the H5N1 virus can develop resistance to Tamiflu, and says the drug Relenza should also be stockpiled. | It warns the H5N1 virus can develop resistance to Tamiflu, and says the drug Relenza should also be stockpiled. |
| It also calls for special scientific advisor to help plan for pandemic flu. | It also calls for special scientific advisor to help plan for pandemic flu. |
| We are concerned that it is not updating its plans as the landscape of what we know about influenza changes Sir John Skehel Analysis: Bird flu threat Pandemic influenza - read the report [1MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | We are concerned that it is not updating its plans as the landscape of what we know about influenza changes Sir John Skehel Analysis: Bird flu threat Pandemic influenza - read the report [1MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| It also said the expert should work alongside the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser, to advise ministers. | It also said the expert should work alongside the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser, to advise ministers. |
| And it calls on the government to work more with industry on vaccine production. | And it calls on the government to work more with industry on vaccine production. |
| Sir John Skehel, chair of the report's working group, said: "We are concerned that decisions are being made, as the UK prepares for a possible pandemic, that fail to take account of expert advice. | Sir John Skehel, chair of the report's working group, said: "We are concerned that decisions are being made, as the UK prepares for a possible pandemic, that fail to take account of expert advice. |
| "For example, the decision to continue to stockpile just one antiviral drug is a major concern. This needs to be reconsidered. | "For example, the decision to continue to stockpile just one antiviral drug is a major concern. This needs to be reconsidered. |
| "New evidence that H5N1 can develop resistance to Tamiflu indicates that a combination of antivirals should be stockpiled by the UK for the most effective management of a pandemic." | "New evidence that H5N1 can develop resistance to Tamiflu indicates that a combination of antivirals should be stockpiled by the UK for the most effective management of a pandemic." |
| He said the government was right to order Tamiflu in early 2005 - a stockpile of 14.6 million courses of anti-viral drugs is being built up | He said the government was right to order Tamiflu in early 2005 - a stockpile of 14.6 million courses of anti-viral drugs is being built up |
| But Sir John added: "We are concerned that it is not updating its plans as the landscape of what we know about influenza changes." | But Sir John added: "We are concerned that it is not updating its plans as the landscape of what we know about influenza changes." |
| The RSM said the government should consider increasing the size of the stockpile and should think about using the drug as a prophylaxis, a preventative treatment. | The RSM said the government should consider increasing the size of the stockpile and should think about using the drug as a prophylaxis, a preventative treatment. |
| 'Most prepared' | 'Most prepared' |
| The report calls on the Department of Health to bring together academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines which could be used to protect the public in the event of a pandemic. | The report calls on the Department of Health to bring together academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines which could be used to protect the public in the event of a pandemic. |
| It says it would not be possible to manufacture enough influenza vaccines globally in a pandemic - because experts will not know the make-up of a pandemic virus until it starts to spread meaning it would not be possible to immunise everyone. | It says it would not be possible to manufacture enough influenza vaccines globally in a pandemic - because experts will not know the make-up of a pandemic virus until it starts to spread meaning it would not be possible to immunise everyone. |
| However, the report adds that limited vaccine supplies can "go-further" if they are combined with adjuvants - agents which boost the effectiveness of a vaccine. | However, the report adds that limited vaccine supplies can "go-further" if they are combined with adjuvants - agents which boost the effectiveness of a vaccine. |
| Sir John said: "We find limited evidence that the UK government is engaging with industry to research and develop new vaccines. | Sir John said: "We find limited evidence that the UK government is engaging with industry to research and develop new vaccines. |
| "Encouraging researchers and drug manufacturers to share information would speed up the development of adjuvants and vaccines to make the UK more responsive during a pandemic." | "Encouraging researchers and drug manufacturers to share information would speed up the development of adjuvants and vaccines to make the UK more responsive during a pandemic." |
| He added: "The UK is recognised as one of the most prepared countries in the world however research in this area must continue and up-to-date scientific information should be central to the government's decision making process. | He added: "The UK is recognised as one of the most prepared countries in the world however research in this area must continue and up-to-date scientific information should be central to the government's decision making process. |
| "It will ensure we are prepared not only for a possible influenza pandemic, but also for any future emerging infectious diseases which may affect the UK." | "It will ensure we are prepared not only for a possible influenza pandemic, but also for any future emerging infectious diseases which may affect the UK." |
| Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said further action was needed. | |
| "If you believe, as I do, that there's a major risk of a pandemic flu on the scale of the 1918 pandemic of Spanish flu, we should think about stockpiling more antiviral drugs, stockpiling face-masks. | |
| "And we should think about getting an H5N1 vaccine now, on the basis it will offer limited protection. |