The swine flu and bird flu strategy to defeat the killer diseases through drugs is totally flawed. By the time any new antibiotic is available most of us will be dead. The reason – the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic did its worst between week 16 and week 26 where up to 100 million perished.

The most recent attempt to get a vaccine quick enough took six months (26 weeks) and that was only to create the drug and have its safety tested. No mass production, and what with global distribution logistics a nightmare, it would be at least 12 months from the onslaught of any pandemic that 50 per cent received any treatment, at best.

Therefore the only thing that will stop the eventual killer pandemic (Margaret Chan, Director-General of the WHO, says it is only a matter of time not when) is to stop it at source and never let it happen in the first place – the preventative strategy - avian-Influenza.cirad.fr/content/download/1931/11789/file/Kennedy-F-Shortridge.pdf

Therefore let’s stop fooling ourselves that the drugs strategy will save us because in reality, time, no matter when the terrible event happens, will be totally against us.

Drugs are a complete waste of time but of course make vast fortunes for the powerful pharmaceutical companies, and that is why stupid governments listen to them.

Dr David Hill

Executive Director

World Innovation Foundation Charity

SWITZERLAND