I can find no clinical evidence that Roche‘s Tamiflu is more effective than GlaxoSmithKline‘s less-prescribed Relenza against Type A influenza like H1N1 and H5N1.

Japanese health inspector in goggles, mask, gloves and gown interviews passengers on a flight arriving in Tokyo from the U.S. on May 2, 2009

I have found abundant evidence, however, that Switzerland-based Roche has run marketing circles around U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) by emphasizing the convenience of swallowing a Tamiflu capsule over the hassle of inhaling Relenza powder.

That’s the only reason I can imagine why a dose of Tamiflu is two to three times as expensive as a dose of Relenza. A dose of 75mg Tamiflu costs US$5 to US$10 at Internet pharmacies, but a dose of 5mg Relenza costs only US$2.50 to US$3.50. Both require prescriptions.

If the target population covered by your business continuity plan includes a large number of children, you will prefer a Tamiflu caplet that is easier for children to swallow. But, for adults, inhaling Relenza is just as effective, much less expensive, and more readily available than Tamiflu at doctors’ offices and pharmacies in Asia.

If this isn’t a business school case study in the importance of packaging, it surely will be.  Read more... (2504 words, 1 image, estimated 10:01 mins reading time)

Malaysia Medical Association‘s Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine released guidelines for companies to prepare for an influenza outbreak. Malaysia Ministry of Health has ordered only 60,000 courses of anti-virals. Message: heal thyself; you cannot rely only on the government. Blog by docs: Malaysia Medical Resources