Reuters reports that "according to the [Japanese] Health Ministry, 54 people have died so far after taking Tamiflu, and in February, a 14-year-old girl and a boy fell to their deaths from their apartment homes in separate incidents after taking the drug. Neither had left a suicide note." While causality is far from being established, the numbers are concerning. The Japanese Health Ministry has begun a more extensive investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, what should concerned parents do?

The percentage of affected individuals is still quite low and whether or not Tamiflu causes psychotic episodes is far from proven; however, anyone paying attention at all will be fearful what future studies may reveal. Once again, it appears the pharmaceutical industry may not have the American public's best interest at heart, or the world's for that matter. Is that really all that surprising given the history of the last twenty years?

As I write this piece I am listening to "Livin' in the Future" by Bruce Springsteen. It is an upbeat rocker in his signature sound that nonetheless describes the Orwellian future that we are currently inhabiting. "Don't worry darlin', now baby don't you fret, we're livin' in the future, and none of this has happened yet." Did you ever think you'd live in an America that would blithely allow the poisoning of it's own citizens? Wake up America, we are very certainly "livin' in the future."

by Jaye Drummond

To voice your concerns regarding Tamiflu, take it straight to the FDA:

http://www.fda.gov/comments.html