14 DAY TRIAL // The current swine flu pandemic has also drawn attention to a very worrying fact – throughout the world, millions of people could lose their lives because they don't have access to affordable supplies of antiviral drugs and vaccines. In fact, statisticians estimate, more than 90 percent of the world's population is in this situation, but, fortunately, a ray of hope exists. Generic drugs, which are readily available even in Third World countries, could potentially save the lives of those living in poverty, and with no access to brand-name medication.
The find was published online in the latest issue of the journal Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, by immunization expert Dr. David Fedson, and appeared on the web only hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its alert status from five to six, and declared the swine flu a global pandemic. The expert says that some existing drugs, such as Tamiflu, are already ineffective against seasonal flu strains, which have become immune to its effects. Under these circumstances, circulating this drug in the current pandemic may prove to be for nothing.
“Despite the best efforts of influenza scientists, pharmaceutical companies and health officials, the stark reality is that although studies of the molecular characteristics of influenza viruses have been enormously informative, they have failed to explain the system-wide effects that flu has on people who contract it,” the expert says.
“For example, we still don't understand why so many young adults died in the 1918 pandemic, while the death rate for children was much lower. I believe this is because researchers have focused on studying the actual virus rather than how these particular hosts – the children and young people – responded to the virus. Most of the world's population lacks realistic alternatives for confronting the next pandemic and urgent research is vital. Otherwise, people everywhere might be faced with an unprecedented public health crisis,” Dr. Fedson adds.
“Research suggests that giving patients anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents such as statins, fibrates and glitazones could help to regulate the cell signalling pathways in patients who have suffered acute lung injury, a common problem with influenza. They can also help to reverse the cellular dysfunction and cell damage that accompanies multi-organ failure. Cell signalling pathways play essential roles in the ability of cells to perceive and correctly respond to their microenvironment. They form the basis of development, tissue repair, immunity and normal tissue function,” he goes on to say.
“Statins are commonly used to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease – but have also been shown to be effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths from pneumonia. Fibrates modify fatty acid metabolism and glitazones reduce blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. All of these drugs modify the cell signalling pathways involved in acute lung injury and multi-organ failure. Moreover, they are affordable generic drugs that are widely available even in developing countries,” Fedson concludes.