The World Health Organization downgraded oseltamivir, or Tamiflu, from a "core" drug to a "complementary" drug, meaning it is less cost-effective, according to The BMJ.
"WHO's decision is a vote for evidence-based policy-making, which will save money and harm," said Fiona Godlee, The BMJ's editor in chief.
Tamiflu was originally added to the WHO's list of essential medicines in 2009 but new evidence has since "reduced the previously estimated magnitude of effect of oseltamivir on relevant clinical outcomes," according to the 2017 list update.
Now, the WHO recommends the use of Tamiflu for the severely ill with confirmed or suspected influenza virus infection in the hospital.