“We do not dismiss the findings in the Cochrane review.² The finding that no signal exists suggesting that neuraminidase inhibitors reduce serious complications² is not unexpected in light of the fact that the clinical trials reviewed were done in community settings, were based on mostly healthy patients with mild influenza-like illness, and were not designed or powered to assess effect on severe illness”

Nguyen-Van-Tam JS, Openshaw PJM, Nicholson KG. Neuraminidase inhibitors for influenza complications. The Lancet 2014; 384: 126-162.

We would like to thank Chris Del Mar and colleagues for their interest in our Comment.¹ They assert that their Cochrane review² was based on full clinical study reports of all manufacturer-sponsored randomised trials. In fact, only a subset (46 of the 107 Clinical Study Reports obtained) were formally analysed. The study undertaken by Muthuri and colleagues³ was funded by Roche, but its design, conduct, interpretation, and report preparation were done independently of the funder. Exhaustive attempts were made to obtain datasets suitable for analysis from around the world. Compared with the 80 datasets received, few (n=15) were not shared because of review board or governmental restrictions (n=3), or inability to meet project timelines (n=12).³ None of the contributors of data declared industry funding for acquisition or assembly of their dataset. (Read More)