The Dem's and the Rethug's would rather talk about Miers than this

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBILFDCBFE.html

Flu Drug Shipments to U.S. Suspended Because of Short Supplies, Hoarding Blamed

CHICAGO (AP) - Amid worries about bird flu, demand for a flu medicine is so extreme that the drug's maker has stopped shipping it to private U.S. suppliers just as consumers fret over whether they should try to stock up on the drug.

Tamiflu, a prescription drug designed to treat regular flu, is running scarce because of worries the bird flu in Asia might morph into a contagious human flu that circles the globe.

Tamiflu's maker, Roche Holding AG in Switzerland, said Thursday it was temporarily suspending U.S. shipment because of increased global demand. Company officials have previously said they are limiting supplies to pharmacies to thwart hoarding.

Published reports suggest that some doctors are keeping supplies of Tamiflu to give to family and friends in case the bird flu mutates into a bigger threat to people, but no doctors reached for this story admitted that.

The American Medical Association is against personal stockpiling and says the misuse of Tamiflu could lead to drug-resistant flu strains.

The USA could make their own antiviral drugs regardless of patent rights just as many other countries are already doing. But our politicians are so deep in the drug companies pocket they will never suggest doing that.