Keiko,
According to the following article, Glaxo-Wellcome's flu drug is most effective when treatment is begun early:
Study Findings on GG167 Published In The US, Melbourne, 26 September 1997
biota.com.au
. . . . . The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published detailed findings yesterday of a study into the efficacy and safety of GG167 for treatment of naturally acquired influenza A and B. . . . . .The article in the NEJM, written by a study team led by the eminent researcher Professor Frederick Hayden from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, concluded that treatment of influenza A and B with GG167 is "safe and reduces symptoms if begun early". . . . . .For the 262 patients with confirmed influenza, treatment with GG167 reduced by 20 percent, or one day, the median length of time to the alleviation of all major influenza symptoms (feverishness, headache, myalgia, cough and sore throat). By the third day of treatment the proportion of patients whose illness was alleviated was significantly higher in the GG167 group than in the placebo group, and this difference was maintained after the cessation of treatment. . . . . .GG167 was more effective in patients treated early, within 30 hours after the onset of symptoms and in patients who had a fever on entry. For those patients who had a fever at the time of enrollment patients receiving GG167 had their symptoms alleviated a median of 3 days sooner than those who received placebo. . . . . .The authors conclude that direct administration of a selective neuraminidase inhibitor, GG167, to adults with influenza is both safe and effective. . . . . . .
Your comment, "Rx....go home .... turn you Electric Blanket ON...Force Fluids....Aspirin.....stay in Bed." may be the proper treatment today for healthy young adults, but for the elderly and other high-risk individuals the flu can lead to pneumonia or other life-threatening conditions. And since it appears GG167 will alleviate flu symptoms if treatment is started early, I'd guess that if people know there's now a drug on the market that will help, they'll want the treatment. Why suffer? Read on:
18:36 Quidel And Glaxo Wellcome Establish Disease Management Collaboration SAN DIEGO, March 7 /PRNewswire/
. . . . .Influenza strains A and B infect tens of millions of people worldwide each year. Additionally, it is estimated that between 10,000 and 40,000 people die annually in the U.S. as a result of pre-existing medical conditions that were exacerbated by influenza infections. Influenza is estimated to cost U.S. consumers $12 billion annually for direct and indirect costs related to medications and lost work time. Through diagnostic testing and early therapeutic intervention, it is hoped that disease progression will be halted or symptoms will be eliminated altogether. . . . . . .NOTE TO EDITORS: Glaxo Wellcome's new drug is named GG167 and is in clinical development for the treatment of influenza. It works by inhibiting production of the neuraminidase enzyme which is responsible for allowing the spread of the flu virus within the body. Unlike a flu vaccine, which is given to prevent infection, GG167 can be given to people already infected by the virus in order to limit or halt the development of flu symptoms. . . . . .
Brought to you by Mayo Clinic, February 1, 1998, It's flu season and time for shots
mayohealth.org
. . . . . You're at increased risk for serious flu and its complications if you belong to, or closely associate with, one of these groups: People 65 and older. Residents of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities. Adults and children with chronic heart, lung, kidney or blood disorders, diabetes, or immune problems. . . . . .
Since its best to begin treatment early, I think doctors will want to be sure they've correctly diagnosed the flu before treating a patient with GG167. It's my understudying that doctors can usually diagnose the flu, allergy, cold or other illness correctly when it's well established, but that early symptoms of a flu, allergy, sore throat or cold can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. More reading:
Biota and BioStar Begin North American Clinical Trials of Influenza Diagnostic, Melbourne, Australia, 13 January 1998
biota.com.au
. . . . .Biota and BioStar estimate that there are more than 350 million cases of influenza around the world each year. The lack of accurate and timely diagnosis of influenza is estimated to be the leading cause of influenza complications, such as pneumonia, especially in the elderly. People with immunocompromised systems (such as cancer patients) are also at high risk of developing complications from influenza. In the U.S. influenza and its complications represent the sixth leading cause of death . . . . . "The influenza diagnostic will allow physicians to be effective in the appropriate management of influenza, and to distinguish it from influenza like illness," stated Teresa Ayers, President and CEO of BioStar, Inc. . . . .
You provided a link to information about BioStar's test in your post #1374. The article states that BioStar's test will be a "15-minute assay." Quidel claims its test will be a five minute, CLIA waived test. Everything else being equal, I think most POC physicians will opt for the five minute test. However, I'm sure that if Glaxo's treatment is successful, the test market will be large enough for more than one company to make a few bucks.
Mike |
