Roche explained about two deaths related to Tamiflu

Roche's representative office in Vietnam has just said that it cannot confirm the cause of the death of two Japanese teenagers who used Tamiflu. Roche will continue to monitor the safety of this drug and is ready to provide information on cases of serious side effects.

The two boys who used to take Tamiflu antiviral drugs revealed unusual behaviors that led to death: one child rushed in front of the truck running in February last year and one jumped from the 9th floor in February this year. .

The drug amantadine

Explaining the above cases, Roche said, in the first death, the initial patient was prescribed amantadine (an antiviral drug that treated influenza with side effects on the central nervous system), then use oseltamivir (Tamiflu). In the second case, the patient was given oseltamivir from the beginning. However, there is not enough data to determine whether this is a suicide. The cause of death is reported as hemorrhagic shock plus injury after falling from the building.

Producer Tamiflu said that the drug's use sheet in Japan contains some side effects such as impaired consciousness, abnormal behavior, hallucinations and other psychological and psychological symptoms. However, in some cases, the above symptoms are not drugs. "Information on the two cases mentioned above has also been shared with officials around the world. They have reviewed and decided not to include the psychological and psychological effects on the guide" - Roche said. The drug company also confirmed that Tamiflu has shown safety in clinical studies and in its use. However, Roche will continue to monitor drug safety through established reporting systems and be ready to provide any serious side effects to relevant officials for their evaluation.

According to Roche, psychological neurological incidents such as those of two Japanese teens may also be complications of influenza, which are related to high fever symptoms.

As for the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, Deputy Minister Trinh Quan Huan said, because of the information that Tamiflu is alleged to be related to the death of two Japanese teenagers is unofficial, the Ministry cannot give any comment. . The number of Tamiflu patients in Vietnam is not large enough to conclude, however, there has been no similar situation. The leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Tropical Diseases, which received the treatment for most H5N1 patients in the southern region, also confirmed that all infected and suspected patients infected with H5N1 here were not have side effects, whether dizziness, nausea .

Currently, Vietnam and the world health still regard Tamiflu as the most effective drug against influenza A virus. The Ministry of Health continues to implement projects to buy reserve and prepare to produce this drug. When there is an epidemic, the medicine will be given free to patients and high-risk people. The Drug Administration called on people not to buy Tamiflu for hoarding because their own use could cause drug resistance.

Reporter group