Stockpiling supplies of the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for use in the event of a flu epidemic was questioned by experts on both sides of the Atlantic this week.

The UK government's decision to order 14.6 million doses of oseltamivir was questioned by Joe Collier, professor of medicines policy at St George's Hospital Medical School, London, and former editor of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.

“I would like to know what evidence there is that Tamiflu actually alters mortality,” he said. “And if it doesn't then what are we doing? What it …