DANISH BOARD OF PHARMACEUTICALS MUZZLES A MEDICAL DOCTOR

By Louise Voller, Kristian Villesen

December 20, 2009

AFTER CRITICAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE DANISH GOVERNMENT’S PURCHASE OF TAMIFLU, A MEDICIAL DOCTOR FROM THE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTE FOR RATIONEL PHARMACOTHERAPHIA (IRF) HAS BEEN MUZZLED.

THE EXPLANATION IS THAT PURCHASES FOR FLU EMERGENCIES LIES BEYOND THE COMPETENCES OF THAT INSTITUTION, EXPLAINS THE DIRECTOR OF THE DANISH BOARD OF PHARMACEUTICALS

After critical remarks about the Danish government’s purchase of the flu remedy, Tamiflu, medical doctors from the Institute for Rationel Pharmacotheraphia are no longer allowed to talk to the press on this subject.

The order was issued by the director of Danish Board of Pharmaceuticals (Laegemiddelstyrelsen), Jytte Lyngvig.

In a news item in the Danish daily newspaper, Information, on December 8, several experts, among them Niels Heebøll-Nielsen, from the Institute for Rationel Pharmacotherapia critisized the Danish government’s purchase of significant quantities of Tamiflu.

Simultanously the daily Information and British Medical Journal published a new and extensive evaluation of scientific data concerning Tamiflu. The study made it clear, that Tamiflu has “a very limited effect” on the sickness accompanying swine flu and at best, might “suppress the symptoms one day”.

In Denmark one million doses has been purchased at a cost of 65 million Danish crowns.

REASONABLE

The Institute for Rationel Pharmacotheraphia gives advice concerning appropriate use of medicine, which would, so one might think, qualify medical doctor Niels Heebøll-Nielsen to give an opinion as to whether the state has acted irrationally and purchased too much.

To Information, he said among other things that the purchase was characterized by the atmosphere of panic prevailing after the outbreak of SARS:

“When fear arises and an atmosphere of doom and disaster is spreading then at the same time an expectation occurs that something will be done. It is understandable. And they must have believed in Tamiflu having an effect”.

Furthermore he criticised the foundation for the purchase:

“When you buy great quantities of medicine, it would be convenient if you knew more about what you get for the money. That knowledge it seems has been insufficient concerning Tamiflu. But they must have trusted that it was efficient. There were no alternatives,” he says.

RATIONEL

The Institute for Rationel Pharmacotherapia belongs to the Board of Pharmaceuticals, and in Board of Pharmaceuticals they don’t hold opinions at all concerning the handling of the emergency, explains the director of that institution, Jette Lyngvig.

“The Board of Pharmaceuticals has absolutely nothing to do with this. It is Danish Board of Health who is the purchaser” says Jytte Lyngvig.

Accordingly, Niels Heebøl-Nielsen as an employee of Institute for Rationel Pharmacotheraphia is not allowed to express opinions concerning the pandemic emergency.

“He may say whatever he wants as a private person. But this one is the decision of Danish Board of Health. Therefore it is only reasonable, that it is up to them to comment on this matter.”

It would be reassuring to know there are experts who are able to give a critical evalunation?

“Then you will have to speak to medical doctors at the hospitals”.

„Is Institute for Rationel Pharmacotheraphia generally allowed to be critical about the way we use medicines?

“Yes but only the daily use of medicine. Not in relation to a pandemic. The institute has no role to play in a pandemic. When he speaks on behalf of the institute, it has to fall inside the limits of the activities of this institute. When one profits by the name, people could get confused because the Institute for Rationel Pharmacotherapia holds an opinion about this matter.”

But he usually evaluates what is a proper use of medicine?

“No, for he has never been part of the purchasing for an emergency. If he criticises the efforts of Danish Board of Health, he must do so as a private person”.

Do you think he would like to do that in the future?

“I don’t know. But I could well image that he would”.