Swine fluSwine flu

News is just “news”…News is just “news”…Not the absolute truth.Not the absolute truth.

Let’s put swine flu (H1N1) into perspective

What are the symptoms of What are the symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1)?Influenza A (H1N1)?

• • FeverFever• Headache• Headache• Cough• Cough• Sore throat• Sore throat• Runny & stuffy nose• Runny & stuffy nose• Extreme fatigue• Extreme fatigue• Muscle aches• Muscle aches• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (these (these symptoms may also occur, but are more common symptoms may also occur, but are more common in children)in children)

So….So….Just about anyone could Just about anyone could

have Swine Fluhave Swine Flu

DeathsDeaths

816 deaths 816 deaths worldwide in 160 worldwide in 160 countriescountries

Europe – 16,556 cases with 34 Europe – 16,556 cases with 34 deathsdeaths

‘‘Given that countries are no longer Given that countries are no longer required to test and report individual required to test and report individual cases, the number of cases reported cases, the number of cases reported actually understates the real number actually understates the real number of cases.’of cases.’

Odds of …Odds of …# death by assault in your lifetime# death by assault in your lifetime : 331/1: 331/1# death by falling# death by falling : 250/1: 250/1# death by firearm# death by firearm : 325/1: 325/1# death by poison# death by poison : 1,400/1: 1,400/1# death in a car crash# death in a car crash : 5,000/1: 5,000/1# death by choking on food or something else# death by choking on food or something else : 5,000/1: 5,000/1# death by drowning# death by drowning : 9,000/1: 9,000/1# death by murder# death by murder : 20,000/1: 20,000/1# death by lightning# death by lightning : 71,000/1: 71,000/1# death by dog attack# death by dog attack : 137,000/1: 137,000/1# death in the bathtub# death in the bathtub : 807,000/1: 807,000/1# death by a flood# death by a flood : 713,000/1: 713,000/1# death by falling out of bed# death by falling out of bed : 2,000,000/1: 2,000,000/1# being killed in a terrorist WMD attack# being killed in a terrorist WMD attack : : 6,000,000/16,000,000/1

1154 people died 1154 people died (worldwide)(worldwide)Odds 8,000,000/1Odds 8,000,000/1

Yup, that’s rightYup, that’s rightYou at a greater risk from You at a greater risk from

drowning in a drowning in a bathtubbathtub

The regular run-of-the-mill strains of The regular run-of-the-mill strains of influenza kill more than influenza kill more than 35,000 35,000 Americans Americans every yearevery year

Bird flu – WHO reports (1 June 09) 436 Bird flu – WHO reports (1 June 09) 436 cases and 262 deaths cases and 262 deaths (was supposed to (was supposed to wipe us out)wipe us out)

More than More than 25m people 25m people have died from have died from AIDS since 1981 (up to July 07)AIDS since 1981 (up to July 07)

1.6m1.6m died from TB in 2005 died from TB in 2005 SARS (Severe Adult Respiratory Distress SARS (Severe Adult Respiratory Distress

Syndrome)– Syndrome)– 167167 deaths up to deaths up to 2003 (was 2003 (was also supposed to kill millions)also supposed to kill millions)

Some beneficiariesSome beneficiaries

Drug companies – Drug companies – more medications more medications soldsold

Doctors – Doctors – patients with mild cold will patients with mild cold will not ‘take any chances’not ‘take any chances’

Medical institutionsMedical institutions Media – more interest = more salesMedia – more interest = more sales Some politiciansSome politicians

Only treatmentOnly treatmentTamifluTamiflu

(also only treatment for bird flu)(also only treatment for bird flu)

Gilead Sciences IncGilead Sciences IncRoche – manufacturers it under licenceRoche – manufacturers it under licence

Patent protection till 2016Patent protection till 2016

Only licence for Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is to:Only licence for Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is to:

TamifluTamiflu

USA ordered 25m dosesUSA ordered 25m doses Total cost $2bn Total cost $2bn ($80 per course)($80 per course)

65 governments have ordered65 governments have ordered Orders to 2008 – 200m dosesOrders to 2008 – 200m doses Price $70= R500 per coursePrice $70= R500 per course

Chairman of GileadChairman of GileadSince 1997 - 2001Since 1997 - 2001

Held major stocksHeld major stocks

Donald Rumsfeld

Former USA Secretary of defence

Bush authorised Bush authorised $1.7Bn $1.7Bn to fight bird flu – to fight bird flu – 14% went to Gilead inc14% went to Gilead inc

Gilead shares rose 700% since 2005 (when Gilead shares rose 700% since 2005 (when stock markets fell 40%)stock markets fell 40%)

Total revenue for 2Total revenue for 2ndnd quarter 09 up 29% quarter 09 up 29% over 2008over 2008

Net income for 2Net income for 2ndnd quarter 09 = $571.4m quarter 09 = $571.4m ($434m 2008)($434m 2008)

Royalties from Roche ($78.8m)Royalties from Roche ($78.8m) 10% of every vaccine to Rumsfeld10% of every vaccine to Rumsfeld

So lets understand..So lets understand..

Every month 50,000 people die from Every month 50,000 people die from AIDS in South AfricaAIDS in South Africa

Every day nearly 1,600 people die Every day nearly 1,600 people die from AIDS from AIDS

Every year 18,000 people die on our Every year 18,000 people die on our roadsroads

25,000 people are murdered25,000 people are murdered Every year 80,000 die of TBEvery year 80,000 die of TB

But we are forced to But we are forced to focus onfocus on

Influenza A (H1N1)Influenza A (H1N1)

Swine fluSwine flu

Because the PowersBecause the PowersDon’t make money from Don’t make money from

treating AIDS, TB, treating AIDS, TB, measles, malnutrition….measles, malnutrition….