Bird Flu Drug and Bangladesh

• Classes of Anti-virals
  Neuraminidase inhibitors
  – Oseltamivir* (TamifluTM, Ossiflu, SKflu etc.)
  – Zanamivir (RelenzaTM)
  Adamantanes
  – Amantadine
  – Rimantadine
  
• Commercial Drugs

1. Ossiflu is produced by Beximco Pharmaceuticals and SKflu by Eskayef of Bangladesh. But they produce these drugs only for WHO to distribute through government control and not available commercially in the market because –
a) To prevent indiscriminate use of this drug,
b) To prevent the development of rapid resistance.

2. The neuraminidase inhibitors Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are effective against influenza A and B, including H5N1 and other avian influenza viruses.

3. Although antiviral resistance may occur with Oseltamivir treatment, it is currently the primary antiviral to be used for pandemic containment. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore has stockpiles of Oseltamivir for rapid response.