On neuraminidase inhibitors and evidence-based medicine

The quest initiated by the Cochrane authors to obtain the best available evidence on the efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitors is nearing completion, with complete divulging of individual patient data of the original randomized controlled trials. We will remain with the deficiencies of the original trials relating to the population studied, poor recording of clinically-significant complications and the data that were not kept. This experience should serve to improve the design of future trials, their documentation and preservation of patient data for future analyses.