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SMARTANALYST, Inc. Reports on Common Misperceptions About Popular Flu Medication
SMARTANALYST a leading Life Sciences strategic support and consulting firm, provides information on popular flu medications in light of current Swine Flu outbreak.
NEW YORK ‚ April 30, 2009‚ SMARTANALYST, Inc., a pioneer in
providing global strategic research and analytics solutions to
Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies has discovered, based on
therapeutic area analysis, a critical lack of information and
communication to the general public on the treatment options for
the current H1N1 flu, also known as the misnamed “Swine Flu”
outbreak.
The most basic misconception is that, unlike influenza
vaccines which are preventative, medications recommended to
combat the current flu outbreak, Tamiflu by Roche and Relenza by
GSK are used for symptom control. This treatment means that
these medications manage the symptoms and offer relief more
rapidly than if the virus is left untreated. However, neither of
these medications are designed to prevent or cure the illness.
According to Manu Bammi, CEO of SMARTANALYST, “It is important
for both consumers and patients to really understand what their
treatment options are. Too often, in the rush to get information
out, particularly when faced with a public health emergency,
people don’t take the time to understand the distinctions
between treatment and prevention.”
In addition, while these medications are designed for symptom
relief and control, their effectiveness varies in accordance
with the strain of influenza. This “swine flu” is a type of
Influenza A, which is an H1N1 virus strain. Therefore, treatment
options should be sought out that will most effectively manage
this virus.
In December 2008, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
released a special advisory noting potential resistance to
Tamiflu during the initial phase of the 2008/2009 influenza
season. This advisory was based on the fact that there are
various strains of influenza which could require treatment
specific to their composition. 98% of Influenza A virus strains
showed resistance to Tamiflu this season (2008/2009) compared to
only 11% last year (2007/2008). With each flu season, viruses
change and mutate, therefore the effectiveness of each drug
treatment varies greatly.
“There is never one vaccine that fits all outbreaks,” said
Marc Rovner, Managing Director of SMARTANALYST. “Strains are
always changing, and sometimes, when you formulate a vaccine for
a seasonal outbreak, it is often easy to miss all the strains.
It is like the Heisenberg Principle in vaccine formulation. The
attempts to create cures can cause changes themselves over
time.”
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About SMARTANALYST, Inc.
SMARTANALYST, Inc. delivers strategic research, analytics and outsourced
knowledge solutions to corporate clients in the life sciences, consumer
healthcare, consumer products, financial and marketing services industries.
The company is flourishing by providing a high-quality, cost-effective
research and analytics solutions portfolio that supports decision-making
processes for Licensing & Acquisition, Business Development, Research
& Development, Corporate Strategy and Marketing. More information
is available on the company's Web site, www.smartanalyst.com.
For further information, please contact:
CONTACT: Marc Rovner
212.331.0010
mrovner@smartanalyst.com