The United Nations World Health Organisation is calling for more clinical research and study on the bird flu drug Tamiflu. They are particularily keen that the research focuses on the best dose amounts of the Tamiflu that should be administered when a person has bird flu.

Tamiflu is generally known to be the most effective anti flu drug on the market at present however detailed medical trials using Tamiflu on bird flu cases have yet to be documented. At present Tamiflu is given to any people who have been exposed to the virus and as a prevention for those doctors and nurses that come into contact with bird flu sufferers.

The H5N1 type of bird flu has claimed nearly 100 fatal cases, more than 50% of all the people who got it since the end of 2003, and scientists say that a gobal pandemic may occur if the virus continues to mutate and becomes contagious easily between humans. The producer of the Tamiflu drug, Roche Pharmaceuticals said that it was increasing its efforts to meet the Tamiflu demand worldwide. The target is to boost production by a third.

While it is very likely that Tamiflu is effective in H5N1 cases, the WHO reminded the world that as of yet, clinical trial data has not been made available to show Tamiflu or oseltamivir actually cures bird flu. It was important to establish clinically tested guidelines for the use of Tamiflu to ensure that it is used correctly and to the optimum benefit to all concerned.

The WHO has some guidelines for dosages at present but they need more research done on them for the H5N1 strain. The advisable dose for adults at present is seventy five milligrams twice daily over 5 days. The WHO however said that in bird flu cases a higher doses over a longer time might better and save more lives. The research was particularily needed in the cases of children who contracted the disease.

At present the dose amounts are based on the small amount of data from the few global outbreaks, animal testing and on people with a normal type of flu. The World Health Organisation said they would continue to take note of the situation and that its recommendations were only that and could not be taken as medically approved advice.