新奇事件簿 流感药物引质疑（在线收听）

Medical experts are questioning why so much money was spent developing and then stocking up on medicationsfor influenza. The tablet Tamiflu and nasal spray Relenza are commonly prescribed by doctors to treat the flu. Governments have heavily stockpiled the drugs as a precaution in the event of an influenza epidemic. However, new research casts doubt on their effectiveness and on the claims made by their manufacturers. The Cochrane Collaboration, a non-profit healthcare research network, and the British Medical Journal published a report based on clinical trials of the drugs. The study questions whether governments should be spending money on the drugs.

大量资金花费在了研发和储存治疗流感的药物上，这一话题引起了医学专家的质疑。达菲和鼻喷雾剂葛兰素史克瑞乐沙是治疗流感的常见性药物，也是医生开设处方药最多的药物。为了对付流感，政府都会囤积大量这种药物。但是，一项新研究却对其功效，以及生产商的言论产生了质疑。考科蓝合作组织是一个非盈利的医疗研究组织，英国医学杂志刊登了一篇这种药物的临床试验报告。这项研究对政府是否需要在这些药物上花费大金钱产生了质疑。

The research says Tamiflu does what manufacturers claim in that it shortens the symptoms of influenza by half a day. However, it says there is insufficient evidence to support claims that the drug reduces the likelihood of hospitalization or serious complications. The researchers also found Tamiflu increased the riskof nausea and vomiting by up to five per cent, and could cause headaches and depression. Tamiflu's makers said the research excluded "real-world data". The research team said Relenza worked little better than gargling with salt water or taking over-the-counter pain relievers. The maker, GlaxoSmithKline, said: "When used appropriately, in the right patient, it can reduce the duration of flu symptoms."

这项研究认为达菲确实有生产商所说的延缓流感症状半天的功效。但是，该药物有减少住院，或是发生严重并发症可能的言论却没有充足的证据。研究人员还发现达菲增加了患者呕吐的几率，这一几率增长了5%，并能够引发头疼和抑郁。达菲的制造商说这项研究没有真实的数据作为支撑。研究团队认为葛兰素史克瑞乐沙与用盐水漱口，或是在药店买止疼药无异。制造商葛兰素史克说：“如果对症病人使用方法正确的话，它就能够减少流感病症的时间。