good article

[Guest guest]

recommended reading:

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200912u/tamiflu

best quote from the article:

" As the nationÕs lead public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention appears to be operating in some alternative universe, where valid

science no longer matters to public policy. The agencyÕs flu recommendations are

in lockstep with RocheÕs claims that the drug can be life-savingÑdespite the

FDAÕs findings and despite the lack of studies to prove such a claim. WhatÕs

more, neither the CDC nor the FDA has demanded the types of scientific studies

that could definitively determine whether or not the companyÕs claims are true:

that Tamiflu reduces the risk of serious complications and saves lives.

, who heads the CDCÕs flu program, told us earlier this year she opposes a

placebo-controlled study (in which one half of patients would be given Tamiflu

and the other half would be given placebo), because the drugÕs benefits are

already proven. "

Now where have we heard this rationale before? Ack.

Sue