Stockpiling oseltamivir: What is the number needed to treat with oseltamivir to prevent one flu death?

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7526.1203-a

BMJ 2005;331:1203 (19 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7526.1203-a

Letter

Stockpiling oseltamivir

What is the number needed to treat with oseltamivir to prevent one flu death?

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EDITOR—I, like Collier,¹ would like to know the basisof secretary of state for health Patricia Hewitt's claim thatthe acquisition of 14 million doses of the antiviral drug oseltamivir(Tamiflu) would reduce the number of (flu) deaths in Britain.²Who has given her this advice? Would they also tell us the numberneeded to treat?

A Rouse, consultant in public health

Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust, Birmingham B16 9PA samplesize@tiscali.co.uk

Competing interests: None declared.

Cole A. Experts question wisdom of stockpiling oseltamivir. BMJ 2005;331: 1041. (5 November.)[Free Full Text]
East Asia is most at risk of human flu epidemic, experts say. Michael Day. BMJ 2005;331: 921. (22 October.)[Free Full Text]