As the 2009/2010 influenza season progresses, there is cause for worry. Flu activity is already widespread in 46 states, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the 2009 novel H1N1 flu virus, popularly known as the “swine flu,” is on the rise. Meanwhile, the swine flu [...]]]>

As the 2009/2010 influenza season progresses, there is cause for worry. Flu activity is already widespread in 46 states, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the 2009 novel H1N1 flu virus, popularly known as the “swine flu,” is on the rise. Meanwhile, the swine flu vaccine is difficult to obtain, leaving many unprotected from this new strain. Fortunately, the antiviral treatments Tamiflu and Relenza are still largely effective against the swine flu.

Why is there so much worry about pandemic flu this year? Regular flu kills 36,000 people in the US each year, but the swine flu variation has the potential to kill many more. The latest update from the CDC shows that swine flu has caused at least 95 children’s deaths since April. Why is this strain so dangerous?

• It is a new combination (made of human, swine, and avian elements) and virtually no one has natural immunity to it
• The vaccine is not yet widely available
• This strain attacks the young and healthy population in disproportionate numbers

There is some hopeful news from the CDC in terms of protecting yourself:

Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far are 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription drugs (pills, liquid, or inhaler) that decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce. It is advised that you begin them within two days of getting influenza. Many people ask about taking anti-viral drugs before they show symptoms, but according to the CDC, pre-exposure antiviral chemoprophylaxis should only be used in limited circumstances, and in consultation with your doctor.

The drug oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu, from Roche) is one of two drugs that is approved for treatment of swine flu. It is taken orally, in a pill form or a suspension. Common side effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and headache. Less frequently, delirium, hallucinations, rash, hepatitis, and allergic reactions including anaphylaxis can occur. There is some concern that oseltamivir can cause the desire to self-harm, and this seems more pronounced in children. People with the flu, particularly children, may be at an increased risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior. However, oseltamivir is approved by the FDA for use in children 1 year of age or older. In addition, in July 2009, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the use of Tamiflu in pediatric patients younger than 1 year of age.

The drug zanamivir (trade name Relenza, from GlaxoSmithKline) is the other medication approved to treat swine flu. It is an inhaled powder that comes with a disk inhaler. It can cause side effects, especially in those with asthma or other chronic lung disease. Decreased respiratory function and bronchospasm have been reported with use of zanamivir. Zanamivir is generally not recommended for use in persons with underlying lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Other side effects reported by less than 5% of those who have used this drug are diarrhea, nausea, sinusitis, nasal infections, bronchitis, cough, headache, and dizziness. Relenza is approved for treatment in children 7 years and older, but only those without underlying respiratory or heart disease, including asthma.

One final caution as you navigate flu season is to beware of some unscrupulous online vendors selling fake flu drugs to capitalize on the public’s fear. The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning to consumers to be careful not to purchase counterfeit medications. You may rest assured that eDrugSearch.com deals only with reputable, licensed pharmaceutical suppliers in the U.S. and Canada. Our advanced search features enable members to identify pharmacies with specific licensing requirements, third-party accreditations, Better Business Bureau memberships, and more. We offer a feedback system so consumers can share their ratings of the pharmacies they deal with. Browse the ratings, and enjoy peace of mind as you choose among our consumer-tested pharmacy partners for your flu season needs.

Despite the best of efforts of Big Pharma and its paid lackeys to spread disinformation about the safety of Canadian pharmacies, it looks like Americans soon may finally be able to legally purchase drugs from Canada. At least, that will be the case if the Dorgan-Snowe Drug Importation Bill, scheduled to be reintroduced [...]]]>

Despite the best of efforts of Big Pharma and its paid lackeys to spread disinformation about the safety of Canadian pharmacies, it looks like Americans soon may finally be able to legally purchase drugs from Canada. At least, that will be the case if the Dorgan-Snowe Drug Importation Bill, scheduled to be reintroduced later this month, passes Congress and is signed by President Obama, as many expect.

Seniors advocates, however, are upset that the bill doesn’t also allow consumers to purchase drugs from other Tier One countries, such as Australia and New Zealand. In fact, the FDA recently seized a number of shipments of drugs from these countries at LAX, which has advocates up in arms.

Publishers of some of the Web’s most widely read sites for seniors — Frank Kaiser of www.SuddenlySenior.com, Michael Garee of www.YouMightBeGettingOldIf.com, and Daniel Hines of www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com — have joined forces to issue a statement, excerpted below:

Spurred by seizures at Los Angeles International Airport of vital doctor-prescribed prescription medicines from legitimate pharmacies in Australia and New Zealand to U.S. citizens, the publishers of three Seniors’ websites today called for President Obama to order the Food and Drug Administration to halt the arbitrary seizures and to resume the flow of the safe, affordable medicines to U.S. seniors and others…

“These medications are vital to the health of huge numbers of Americans,” they noted in a joint statement. “Ironically, similar seizures occurred several years ago, leading to heavy criticism by Senators and Representatives, and the threat of Congressional investigations of the seizures.

“Especially disturbing is that the FDA temporarily returned to the heavy-handed techniques of threatening letters to the U.S. citizens whose doctor-prescribed medications were seized, suggesting that they are in violation of U.S. law.

“These letters later were softened, hopefully an indication that the FDA realizes that such intimidation is unacceptable. However, the newer letters claim the reason for the seizures is they are of new unapproved medicines when actually all are manufactured at FDA-approved facilities, and include even Lipitor.”

The publishers appealed to President Obama to reaffirm his support for Americans being able to continue to purchase safe, affordable prescription medicines from Tier One countries, whose regulatory oversights meet or even exceed those of the U.S., by ordering the FDA to cease and desist.

“The President has been supportive of allowing U.S. citizens to have their prescriptions filled from pharmacies in Tier One countries,” the statement says. “Such physician-prescribed medicines from licensed, authorized pharmacies have been proven to be affordable and safe.

“That the FDA, which has drawn additional scrutiny of its effectiveness because of the outbreak of Salmonella caused by oversight failures at a domestic manufacturer of peanut-based products should devote its energies to denying Americans access to safe, affordable prescription medicines is unacceptable and incomprehensible.

“That the seizures occur when increasing numbers of Americans forego taking medications because they pay the highest prices in the world for prescription medicines, in addition to being burdened with a depressed economy, is intolerable.

“President Obama can resolve this by immediately calling for the cessation of the seizures.”

While the pharmacies in the eDrugSearch.com network are primarily Canadian, we do currently include one Australian pharmacy, and we certainly agree with these publishers that Americans should have access to medications from all Tier One countries. We’ll be following the Dorgan-Snowe bill closely and will keep you up to date on its progress.

“At a [...]]]> An Associated Press analysis last week concluded that millions of Americans are being prescribed drugs — including those covered under Medicaid — that have never been reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. The FDA admits there may be thousands of such drugs on the market. Reports the AP:

“At a time when families, businesses and government are struggling with health care costs and 46 million people are uninsured, payments for questionable medications amount to an unplugged leak in the system … But the FDA estimates they account for 2 percent of all prescriptions filled by U.S. pharmacies, about 72 million scripts a year.”

This isn’t a new problem — most of the drugs in question have been on the market for five decades or more — but it’s a story that gets more galling over time. The history is, it was only in 1962 that the FDA began reviewing new medications for safety. Medications already on the market at that time were to be vetted by the FDA eventually … but 46 years later, thousands of meds have never been reviewed at all.

According to the AP:

It might be easier to sort things out if the FDA compiled a master list of unapproved drugs, but the agency hasn’t. FDA officials say that would be difficult because many manufacturers do not list unapproved products with the agency. Yet, the AP found many that were listed — a possible starting point for a list.

Among the drugs the AP’s research identified were Carbofed, for colds and flu; Hylira, a dry skin ointment; Andehist, a decongestant, and ICAR Prenatal, a vitamin tablet. Medicaid data show the program paid $7.3 million for Carbofed products from 2004 to 2007; $146,000 for Hylira; $4.8 million for Andehist products, and $900,000 for ICAR…

Federal law does not provide fines for selling unapproved drugs, and criminal prosecutions are rare.

This is another instance where it’s in your interest to do your own research on the drugs you are prescribed. Many doctors and pharmacists are unaware that drugs they are prescribing and dispensing have never been vetted by the government — but you can find out for yourself with a little Internet searching.

Drugs@FDA is an FDA Web site that allows you to search government-approval information on “most of the drug products approved since 1939.” Additionally, the site includes “the majority of labels, approval letters, reviews, and other information available for drug products approved from 1998 to the present.”

The FDA offers other resources for determining if a drug is approved here.

For FDA updates and AP news on 200 of the most commonly prescribed drugs, you can also check out eDrugSearch.com’s Online Pharmacy Dictionary.