20. November 2005 15:44
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating the deaths of 12 children in Japan who took Roche's flu-fighting drug Tamiflu.
The U.S. regulators say it is difficult to tell whether the drug played a role in any of the cases but is concerned that 32 psychiatric events, such as hallucinations and abnormal behavior, have been reported in children who took Tamiflu.
The drug which is in high demand because it is considered to be one of the best defenses against avian flu in people.
The FDA says that all but one of the psychiatric problems were reported in Japan.
The agency will apparently request input on the cases from an advisory panel of outside experts at a public meeting on Friday.
The review is part of the routine monitoring the safety of medicines used by children.
In a separate summary on the FDA Web site, drug maker Roche says there is no increase in deaths and neuropsychiatric events in patients on Tamiflu versus influenza patients in general.
Demands for Tamiflu have soared as experts around the world warn of the possibility for an H5N1 bird flu pandemic in people.
Several countries are stockpiling Tamiflu, which may be able to lessen symptoms.
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