WHO downgrades oseltamivir on drugs list after reviewing evidence

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) has been downgraded in the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines from a “core” drug to one that is “complementary”—a category encompassing drugs that are deemed less cost effective.

Fiona Godlee, The BMJ’s editor in chief, welcomed the move as a victory for the journal’s campaign for evidence based medicine. “WHO’s decision is a vote for evidence based policy making, which will save money and harm. It is also …