DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Friday, 18 November 2005

“BIRD FLU” – TREATMENT NEEDED FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS, NOT JUST THE RICH

The DRS calls on the federal government to urgently begin stockpiling of flu treatment drugs.  The current shortage of these drugs means that, without government intervention, flu treatment will only be available for the rich in this country. 

“Many of our patients are requesting prescriptions for these medicines” said Dr Tim Woodruff, national president of the Doctors Reform Society.  “The problem is that the drugs are just not available.  This is resulting in unnecessary alarm.”

“The Canadian government has already started such a process – the Canadian Government is stockpiling oseltamivir/ Tamiflu and zanamivir/ Relenza( and soon to start buying other anti-virals such as Amantadine in case the virus changes and becomes transmissible between humans) - in order to damp down concerns about possible flu pandemic and to deter stockpiling of anti viral drugs in the Canadian community.  Roche Canada will prioritise supplies of oseltamivir in line with the Canadian government’s initiative” said Dr Woodruff.

Government stockpiling of anti-virals is urgently needed:

-         to prevent stockpiling of anti-virals by individuals and the wealthy in society

-         to avoid community panic

-         to make sure that any future pandemic will be controlled and minimized by reducing the spread through the entire community.

“If the federal government does not act they will be ensuring that treatment in any future bird flu pandemic will only be for the rich” said Dr Woodruff. “As a country our response to any epidemic will be reduced because many in the community will not be treated.”

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society

Doctors Reform Society