新奇事件簿 流感药物引质疑

Medical experts are questioning why so much money was spent developing and then stocking up on medicationsfor influenza¹. The tablet Tamiflu and nasal spray Relenza are commonly prescribed by doctors to treat the flu. Governments have heavily stockpiled the drugs as a precaution in the event of an influenza epidemic². However, new research casts doubt on their effectiveness and on the claims made by their manufacturers. The Cochrane Collaboration³, a non-profit healthcare research network, and the British Medical Journal published a report based on clinical trials of the drugs. The study questions whether governments should be spending money on the drugs.

大量资金花费在了研发和储存治疗流感的药物上，这一话题引起了医学专家的质疑。达菲和鼻喷雾剂葛兰素史克瑞乐沙是治疗流感的常见性药物，也是医生开设处方药最多的药物。为了对付流感，政府都会囤积大量这种药物。但是，一项新研究却对其功效，以及生产商的言论产生了质疑。考科蓝合作组织是一个非盈利的医疗研究组织，英国医学杂志刊登了一篇这种药物的临床试验报告。这项研究对政府是否需要在这些药物上花费大金钱产生了质疑。

The research says Tamiflu does what manufacturers claim in that it shortens the symptoms of influenza by half a day. However, it says there is insufficient⁴ evidence to support claims that the drug reduces the likelihood of hospitalization or serious complications. The researchers also found Tamiflu increased the riskof nausea⁵ and vomiting⁶ by up to five per cent, and could cause headaches and depression. Tamiflu's makers⁷ said the research excluded "real-world data". The research team said Relenza worked little better than gargling with salt water or taking over-the-counter pain relievers. The maker⁸, GlaxoSmithKline, said: "When used appropriately, in the right patient, it can reduce the duration of flu symptoms."

这项研究认为达菲确实有生产商所说的延缓流感症状半天的功效。但是，该药物有减少住院，或是发生严重并发症可能的言论却没有充足的证据。研究人员还发现达菲增加了患者呕吐的几率，这一几率增长了5%，并能够引发头疼和抑郁。达菲的制造商说这项研究没有真实的数据作为支撑。研究团队认为葛兰素史克瑞乐沙与用盐水漱口，或是在药店买止疼药无异。制造商葛兰素史克说：“如果对症病人使用方法正确的话，它就能够减少流感病症的时间。

1 influenza   

n.流行性感冒，流感

参考例句：

• They took steps to prevent the spread of influenza.他们采取措施
• Influenza is an infectious disease.流感是一种传染病。

2 epidemic   

n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的

参考例句：

• That kind of epidemic disease has long been stamped out.那种传染病早已绝迹。
• The authorities tried to localise the epidemic.当局试图把流行病限制在局部范围。

3 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

4 insufficient   

adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的

参考例句：

• There was insufficient evidence to convict him.没有足够证据给他定罪。
• In their day scientific knowledge was insufficient to settle the matter.在他们的时代，科学知识还不能足以解决这些问题。

5 nausea   

n.作呕，恶心；极端的憎恶(或厌恶)

参考例句：

• Early pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea.怀孕期常有恶心的现象。
• He experienced nausea after eating octopus.吃了章鱼后他感到恶心。

6 vomiting   

吐

参考例句：

• Symptoms include diarrhoea and vomiting. 症状有腹泻和呕吐。
• Especially when I feel seasick, I can't stand watching someone else vomiting." 尤其晕船的时候，看不得人家呕。”

7 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。