FDA highlights flu opportunists and other flu news

FDA highlights flu opportunists

While the government has allocated billions to private companies to aid in the treatment, cure and surveillance of seasonal flu, and more recently the novel H1N1 flu, not everyone should see the flu worries as an excuse to cash in.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a list of fraudulent or unauthorized H1N1 influenza products.

Among the items listed on the FDA’s website:

• a dietary supplement that claimed to protect infants and young children from contracting the H1N1 flu virus

• a shampoo that claimed to protect against the H1N1 flu virus

• a supplement that claimed to cure H1N1 flu infection within four to eight hours

• a spray that claimed to leave a layer of ionic silver on one’s hands that killed the virus

• tests that have not been approved to detect the H1N1 flu virus

• an electronic instrument that claimed to utilize “photobiotic energy” and “deeply penetrating mega-frequency life-force energy waves” to strengthen the immune system and prevent symptoms associated with H1N1 viral infection.

The FDA says it has issued warnings to at least 50 websites making fraudulent claims, a majority of which have removed their claims or products from the Internet.

The agency also invites members of the public to report suspected fraudulent products or criminal activity associated with the H1N1 flu virus.

WHO knew? Some H1N1 viruses resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Health authorities in Denmark, Japan and Hong Kong found the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) ineffective for fighting the novel H1N1 virus in some patients, according to an announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

WHO said that the resistance found in three separate labs in three different regions appear to be “sporadic” and that “there is no evidence to indicate the development of widespread antiviral resistance among pandemic H1N1 viruses.” WHO will continue to recommend treatment with Tamiflu as a first-line treatment while continuing to monitor influenza viruses for antiviral drug resistance.

Obama Administration announces ‘aggressive preparations’ for seasonal and H1N1 flu

The H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Summit July 9 served as the launch for the government’s nationwide fall flu preparedness efforts.

Security chiefs including Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and White House Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan joined Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and delegates from 54 states, tribes and territories were in attendance.

Obama Administration officials laid out plans for involving states and local governments in the effort:

• HHS will make available $350 million in preparedness grants for states and local governments. The grants were included in the latest supplemental appropriations bill passed by Congress.

• The federal government will centralize communications about H1N1 and seasonal flu on a new website: www.flu.gov.

• HHS is launching a contest to encourage Americans to create 15-second or 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) that encourage more people to get flu shots. The winning PSA will receive $2,500 in cash and will appear on national television.