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news.The US Food and Drink Administration is preparing for an outbreak of avian flu in the US by creating a rapid response team to ensure an adequate supply of treatment.
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The team will be responsible for working with industry, academia and other government agencies to increase the manufacture of anti-influenza drug oseltamivir phosphate (tamiflu) and support clinical studies into further treatments. New medications could be made available under Emergency Use Authorization.
“Making sure Americans are protected against an outbreak of avian flu is one of FDA’s top priorities,” said Dr Andrew von Eschenbach, Acting FDA Commissioner, “Using the Rapid Response Team approach, we believe we could review a complete drug application in six to eight weeks.”
The team is supporting studies into developing vaccines to prevent future influenza pandemics and increasing production of currently licensed vaccines using avian flu strains.
The FDA also warned of potential counterfeit drugs in the event of a pandemic and advised consumers to buy medicines only from US state licensed pharmacies, or from internet sites with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy VIPPS seal.