Use of neuraminidase inhibitors for prophylaxis and treatment of pandemic influenza: summary of a Faculty of Public Health meeting

On 15th December 2014, a meeting was held at the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) to gain views and where possible consensus on the prophylactic use among the general population of neuraminidase inhibitors (NIs) for pandemic influenza. These perspectives were to be used to help inform the FPH's position on current policy. This was felt to be necessary in response to the controversy that followed the publication of the updated Cochrane systematic review of the use of oseltamivir for seasonal influenza by Jefferson et al. (Oseltamivir for influenza in adults and children: systematic review of clinical study reports and summary of regulatory comments. 2014) and the disparate views held by members of the FPH on its implications for the relative benefits and harms of mass chemoprophylaxis for pandemic influenza.