Background: The efficacy and tolerability of the neuraminidase inhibitor zanamivir in the treatment of influenza have been established in an extensive programme of controlled clinical trials.

Since 2002, governments around the world have spent billions of dollars stockpiling neuraminidase inhibitors (NIs) such as Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) and Relenza® (zanamivir) in anticipation of an influen ...