Smileband health topics

Tamiflu and other antivirals should be given to the most vulnerable people with symptoms of flu, according to a ‘health alert’ sent to all GPs.

But officials also suggested the drugs be used as a preventative measure for elderly people, even if they have received the flu vaccine – which is feared not to work for over-65s this year. In some parts of the country, doctors have been told to give all care home residents the antivirals – whether they are ill or not – in a bid to stop the crisis spreading.

A leading scientist last night condemned the decision, saying there is no evidence antivirals are effective.

If he is right, it will mean by the end of the winter countless pensioners will have received an ineffective flu jab, followed by ineffective antiviral pills, and still be at risk of getting flu. Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, sent the alert on December 19 to all GPs in England granting them permission to use pills such as Tamiflu.

This alert is sent at some point in the winter most years – but this year it can be used as a preventative measure, not just as a treatment.

However, Professor Carl Heneghan of Oxford University, who published a major study four years ago suggesting Tamiflu is ineffective, said: ‘The chief medical officer seems not to be able to understand evidence-based medicine. ‘We have shown Tamiflu leads to only a small reduction in symptoms – about the same you get from taking paracetamol.’

He added last night: ‘The Government is scared of being seen to do nothing.

'But they have tied themselves into the position where they have to give these drugs every year.