From Peter Dunnill, Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London
Your article suggested that nothing meaningful could be done to help most of the world’s population if a bird flu pandemic develops (2 October, p 10). This may be too pessimistic. If antiviral neuraminidase inhibitors taken early prove effective there is a possible approach.
Patients could be allowed private prescriptions, one per family member. That would bring the drug into the population early and many would now take out this insurance against the disease. It would help push up production targets. Even if only wealthier people responded, this strategy would create a firewall.
Any population-wide scheme has risks. But with the possibility of millions of deaths, now is the time to establish large pilot trials.
London, UK
