Respiratory problems were also noted in 70 other serious or life-threatening cases reported to the FDA involving patients who took Relenza. Anyone over age 64. People of any age who have chronic heart or lung disorders, including asthma, or who have diabetes, kidney disease or a weakened immune system. Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season. Health care workers and family members who are in contact with high-risk patients.
Flu is very common.
You can do a very large study in not a very expensive way. So part of the thinking for me was they could have done the right study. They could have really gotten an assessment of benefit. And they didn't. Wittes said Glaxo Wellcome produced results from small foreign studies, claiming that patients reported their flu symptoms were relieved a day or two faster when they used Relenza.