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Taxpayers lost ?74m when 6.5m doses of an anti-flu drug were written off as being past their shelf life because of poor record-keeping by the health service, the government's auditors have found.

A total of ?424m was spent in stockpiling 40m units of Tamiflu between 2006-07 and 2012-13,Mulberry bags, despite question marks over the effectiveness of the drug, a National Audit Office memo says. Viruses are reported to have developed resistance to the drug in some cases.

MP, chair of the public accounts committee, said she was shocked by the amount of money spent on the drug, and by the failure to keep proper records of when and where it had been bought, particularly in the light of disagreement among experts over its ability to reduce complications. "There is simply no excuse for this waste," she said. "It is important that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) assure themselves that they have all clinical trials information. It is essential,hogan uomo, not only for the public purse but for public safety, that the Department of Health carefully examine how it stockpiles medicines in the future."

Tamiflu was licensed in the EU in 2002. There is a consensus that the drug can reduce the duration of influenza symptoms,Press Start PS4 targeted by anti-DRM campaign, new Xbox One details, and more Technology guardian.co.uk,Mulberry handbags, and can in some circumstances prevent flu, the report reads. However, there is less agreement about the extent to which it can reduce complications, hospital stays and death rates.

In 2006,ghd, as reports of caused international concern, the Department of Health bought Tamiflu for 25% of the population, under the guidance of the World Health Organisation. After further stockpiling,ghd hair straighteners, auditors found, by 2009 there was enough to treat 80% of the population.

Between 2009-10 and 2012-13, 10m units of the drug were written off because they had reached the end of their shelf life,burberry outlet, the report states. According to the Department of Health's accounts, 6.5m doses had to be destroyed because of poor record-keeping by the during the 2009-10 swine flu pandemic.

It is understood that stocks of Tamiflu are continually replenished to ensure they are up-to-date,Mulberry outlet,Italy passes European treaty that tackles violence against women World news g.

A Department of Health spokesperson said officials would consider the recommendations in the report.

"The UK is recognised by the World Health Organisation as being one of the best prepared in the world for a potential flu pandemic,cheap ghd straighteners,Gay marriage bill how did your MP vote Map News guardian.co.uk," he said.

"We currently hold a stockpile of antivirals for use in the event of a flu pandemic,ray ban 3025. Tamiflu is the main antiviral in stock and a separate antiviral is also held as a contingency. We regularly review this stockpile and our plans for responding to a flu pandemic."