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Where are the pandemic drugs?
The difficulty in combating a deadly flu pandemic with drugs alone is that, by definition, the virus will be one which our bodies have never before encountered. This means that our bodies and our usual arsenal of weapons for fighting infectious diseases, such as vaccines and anti-viral drugs, are rendered close to useless.
For example, Tamiflu is an anti-viral for treating known strains of seasonal influenza. But there is growing evidence that with over-use even seasonal strains are becoming resistant to Tamiflu. In the 2007-2008 flu season, more than 25% of flu samples taken in Western Europe were resistant to Tamiflu. In the US, 12% were found to be resistant. These results have forced experts to believe that Tamiflu will prove ineffective in treating a pandemic infection from an unknown virus.
For unknown pandemic strains, flu vaccines and anti-viral drugs will require scientists first to isolate and identify the offending virus. This can only be done once the pandemic has started. Drug development takes at least three months from the pandemic’s onset; the cost of that delay could be 12 million dead.
Doses for children – the ones whose lives are most at risk – would also take longer to understand and develop.
Limited manufacturing capacity and exclusive production locations mean that factories will not be able to meet the surge in global demand. Pandemic-disturbed logistics will prolong delays. Borders will shut and courage to help will falter – just like what happened during SARS.
In this turmoil it is widely acknowledged that developing nations, the likely crucible of the pandemic, will not get sufficient quantities of the drugs and will face significant difficulties in properly storing and distributing those they do obtain. Where time is the difference between life and death, 6-12 months can be counted in a death toll of millions. Over 25% will be children under 14.
In previous flu pandemics, the virus mutated significantly several times. This means any recently devised drugs will be ineffective and the 6-12 month process for developing and distributing new anti-viral drugs and vaccines repeated.
For these reasons, scientists believe that good hand washing and effective face masking are our first line of defence in a flu pandemic. Together they will win time for scientists to develop, and for nations to distribute, the necessary protective drugs. But experts agree that standard masks are not up to the task.
To address this shortfall, Filligent, a socially responsible biotechnology company based in Hong Kong, has designed the missing link in mask protection for airborne infectious diseases. Unlike standard masks, its FM-200 BioMask detects, filters out and then kills germs on contact – including all forms of the influenza virus. Its self-sanitizing surfaces kill micro-organisms within minutes of contact and its intelligent filtration system is designed to enhance breathability. The double curvature design and adjustable ear loops make it easy for almost all face-sizes to wear. A special version meets the needs of children from age one to six. Above all, it is comfortable, breathable and affordable.
Filligent is dedicated to delivering pragmatic and effective health solutions. Its principal concern is bridging the health gap for developing nations. It has designed the BioMask to be highly effective and affordable by all – providing all-day protection for a price that is up to 25% less than a standard surgical mask.
A deadly flu pandemic is a great equalizer – claiming lives from all strata of society. Now there appears to be a solution that can help protect and contain such airborne infectious diseases on the same principle of equality.