The widespread use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) has been a key strategy in tackling the H1N1 ‘swine flu’ pandemic in the UK. However, there have been growing concerns about the communication of this approach and rationale behind the policy itself. In this podcast Dr Ike Iheanacho, DTB editor, discusses the policy with two members of the DTB editorial board, Dr Paul Caldwell, a general practitioner and Dr Mahdad Noursadeghi, an infectious diseases consultant. This is an extension of our September 2009 Editorial, Tamiflu − the wrong message? DTB 2009; 47: 97.
Tamiflu - the wrong message? [20:16m]:
In January 2009, NICE began a policy for valuing the use of drugs for extending life in people with a short life-expectancy. This development arose from concerns that NICE had been denying patients life-extending treatments because they were too expensive. However, the new policy also raises important ethical and moral dilemmas. In this podcast Dr Martin Duerden, General Practitioner and member of the DTB editorial board, and Dr Ike Iheanacho, DTB Editor, discuss this policy and the issues it raises. This is an extension of our June 2009 Editorial, Real costs of end-of-life drugs DTB 2009; 47: 61.
Real costs of end-of-life drugs [21:59m]: