Influenza drug to undergo “fast track” assessment by NICE

The influenza drug zanamivir (Relenza) will undergo “fast track” appraisal by the new National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), which will recommend which treatments should be available on the NHS in England and Wales. Zanamivir is said to moderate the symptoms of flu and shorten bouts of the illness.

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, the institute's chairman, said last week that he hopes to publish recommendations on the use of the drug this autumn. Thereafter, the …