Flu's gold: Buying into pandemic fear

CBC Marketplace ^ | January 29, 2006

[steve86]

Marketplace investigates illegal sales of a coveted antiviral drug. Tamiflu has been touted as a miracle, should influenza pandemic strike. Trouble is, it’s growing hard to get hold of through legal channels.

We take a journey to show who’s been cashing in on our flu fears.

CBC MARKETPLACE: HEALTH » BUYING DRUGS ONLINE

Flu's gold: Buying into pandemic fear
Broadcast: January 29, 2006

The golden pill at the heart of the scheme is an antiviral called Tamiflu.

This is a story about a hunt for a prescription drug that everybody wants, but nobody can get. It’s a hunt that leads us on a surprising journey into a secretive underworld, where the rules are being broken.

The chase begins in the unlikeliest of places: on a B.C. ferry. From there, we’re drawn into a mysterious journey, across borders, into a world of illegal activity where corporate head offices turn out to be post office boxes, a foreign doctor is duped by fake patient profiles and questionable pharmacies deal with bogus prescriptions – all play a role in a scheme cooked up by masterminds looking to cash in on your fear.

Full article is a long one, worth the read at site. Video of television article also available.

[steve86]

[jiggyboy]

I think there are recent articles that say that Tamiflu isn't the stuff after all. I'm sticking to sauerkraut.

[steve86]

Feel free to ping the usual suspects interested in antivirals. Sort of a "60 Minutes" type investigative treatment. I've never ordered from Canada Drug Delivery myself, but a similar story could probably be written about most of the other online sans-prescription pharmacies.

[buffyt]

Kinda like the Y2K hype?

[jec41]

All you have to do is get a prescription from your doctor.
Nothing illegally at all. Most doctors will give you one. Then order from where ever you please. In some countries it is over the counter and you do not even need a prescription.

[fight_truth_decay]

High quality Oregano oil.

Treats:

· acne · allergies · arthritis · asthma · athlete's foot · constipation · croup · dandruff · diarrhea · digestive disturbances · insect bites · bronchitis · canker sores · colds · flu · earaches · fatigue · gum disease · parasites · headaches · menstrual irregularities · psoriasis · toenail problems · seborrhea · ringworm · rosacea · sinusitis · muscle pain · varicose veins · warts

http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/oregano.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065609.htm
Of recent interest are reports showing that carvacrol from oil of oregano kills spores, such as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis (anthrax).
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/sardi6.html

[staytrue]

Let's compare SARS to bird flu. SARS was very contagious, could go from person to person and is even more lethal than bird flu.

So what happened to the sars epidemic ? Not a lot.

I think bird flu at worst will be not much worse than a regular flu outbreak.

[steve86]

All you have to do is get a prescription from your doctor

Easier said than done. I know of only one FReeper who managed to get a script for a prophylactic course. I know of several others who failed. In fact, the CDC has now advised physicians to NOT write scripts absent illness.

[steve86]

I'm not going to argue the efficacy of Tamiflu on this thread. Numerous others threads have covered that ground. Same for "Is Bird Flu an Overblown Hoax" type comments.

[steve86]

I agree but this is one person WHO CAN NOT TOLERATE Oil of Oregano. Don't ask for details.

[Chewbacca]

I will stick with my ASAP ionic silver solution.
It seems to be working just fine.

[TheLion]

Have you personally used Oregano Oil?....sounds too good to be true.

Also, would you recommend buying it from your first link?

[jec41]

Easier said than done. I know of only one FReeper who managed to get a script for a prophylactic course. I know of several others who failed. In fact, the CDC has now advised physicians to NOT write scripts absent illness.

I have a prescription but I ordered from a EU pharmacy and it was not required. Got a double dose for each member in the family. I got mine over 6 months ago so it may not be as available now. I do know there is no tamiflu available in our local pharmacies.

[fight_truth_decay]

I head Dr. Cass Ingram speak on his book "The Cure In the Cupboard" so gave Oregano oil (eye dropper bottle around $18) a try.

Day 1..discovered is difficult to regulate the number of drops when you stick the dropper under the tongue. Think I did a few too many. I was going for 2! Little strong and even the dog snorted sitting beside me. Chased it with a bottle of ice tea quickly.

Day 2..Put very little in the dropper and is still a strong taste and a little hot..another chaser after.

However, I can see results. Can use it externally as well as internally.

I am not one to take anything medicinal and instead of going back to the dentist, as I was getting a temperature sensation in my tooth and he could not find anything (comparing .present X-Ray to past X-Ray) It could have been an abscess forming or sinus thing, as had an ear infection a week or so before hand. Thought with the prescription he gave me would be cure all. Came back .

Couple weeks passed and reappeared. I thought I would try this potential cure before requesting more of the pretty strong drug he gave me and seems to be working. That spot is not as tender to the touch as on Day 1.

Thought would try it for flu symptoms should the need be. I do not take flu shots! I watch those that do and still get the flu, but seems to skip me..knock on wood. Will also try it during the seasonal allergy timeframes.

I just thought it seemed like a natural remedy to try. The Dr above said on his program "you cannot overdose" compared to prescription drugs.

The more I read on Oregano oil, the more impressed I was with the studies thus far. As I stated, I am not a believer in pill popping. I place my trust in Mother Nature. Thus my choice for Oregano oil. I purchased mine from a GNC natural health related store the very same day I heard about it.

http://www.911healthshop.com/the-cure-is-in-the-cupboard.html

[fight_truth_decay]

BearWash: Does it have anything to do with a Bear and the woods?? ;)

[LukeL]

The problem with these so called "killer viruses" is that the only confirmed reports are from those who go to the hospital and a blood test or cultulre is done. For all we know 100s are going to the doctor and they just by symptoms alone say its the common flu when in reality is the bird flu. Also myself am one of many people who don't go to the doctor every time I get a sore throat or fever. So 1000s of more pepople are probably getting sick but choosing to treat it themselves.

[TheLion]

Thanks for getting back to me. I just might try it.

[spycatcher]

Study shows Israeli elderberry extract effective against avian flu

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1565907/posts

[fight_truth_decay]

I read to only use on a full stomach. There are no directions but for dosage 1-2 drops on the bottle. Just read as much as I could on the net for usage.

Good luck.

[TheLion]

Thanks for getting back to me on this.