This time last year the H1N1 influenza pandemic was burning itself out, having caused, thankfully, far less sickness and death than predicted. Now this year’s seasonal flu epidemic is doing its rounds in the northern hemisphere (doi:10.1136/bmj.d203, doi:10.1136/bmj.d190). The UK’s problems with uptake and availability of the flu vaccine seem to have been sorted out, but what interests me is this year’s low key approach to antivirals.  You will remember that neuraminidase inhibitors were promoted by WHO as a key part of influenza prevention and treatment, and that oseltamivir was stockpiled at vast expense by most governments around the world. The drug was made widely …