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Bird flu could drain drug supply

Prescription flu drugs could provide lifesaving early protection against bird flu if the virus disastrously mutates into a worldwide pandemic, but experts warn that supplies will quickly run out unless governments stockpile the medicines. Early talks are going on between the U.S. government and one maker about providing a large quantity for use in a pandemic, but at best the medicine is still months away.

Prescription flu drugs could provide lifesaving early protection against bird flu if the virus disastrously mutates into a worldwide pandemic, but experts warn that supplies will quickly run out unless governments stockpile the medicines.

Early talks are going on between the U.S. government and one maker about providing a large quantity for use in a pandemic, but at best the medicine is still months away. If enough was available, the drugs could help buy time until a vaccine is developed to stop the flu's spread.

Source: http://www.salon.com/health/wire/2004/02/02/bird%5fflu%5fvaccine/index.html

[Editor: The preceding article was not written by A4M/WHN]

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