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news.Germany has ordered 1.7 million doses of GlaxoSmithKline's influenza drug, Relenza, after researchers suggested that it can suppress the avian flu virus and should be stockpiled alongside Roche's Tamiflu, in case of a global pandemic of the virulent flu strain.
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Relenza is only available in an inhaled form, raising concerns that this method of delivery might not be ideal in an emergency situation, and could lead to the drug being incorrectly administered to patients. However, it would now seem that the German government has put this concern to one side in a bid to accrue a stockpile that would be adequate in case of a bird flu pandemic.
Relenza and Tamiflu are both part of the same family of influenza medications that the researchers suggested would be effective in combating the avian form of the flu virus.
GlaxoSmithKline is currently the subject of a lawsuit being brought by Australian company, Biota, from whom GlaxoSmithKline licensed developmental and commercialization rights for the drug. The Australian company alleges that GSK failed to support the promotion of the drug.
Avian flu is currently circulating within poultry in Asian countries, and experts fear that the virus could mutate into a strain which could pass easily between humans.