TAIWAN'S BIRD FLU DRUG STOCKPILE MEETS WHO STANDARDS

Taiwan's stockpile of avian influenza antivirals has achieved the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended size, according to the country's Department of Health. In October 2005 the WHO recommended that all nations have enough of Roche's Tamiflu to treat 10 percent of their population in the event of a pandemic outbreak. Taiwan now has enough of the drugs to treat approximately 2.4 million people, or just over 10.39 percent of the population.

Taiwan's influenza drug stockpile includes not just Tamiflu but also GlaxoSmithKline's Relenza. The country has more than 600,000 doses of Tamiflu and enough raw materials to make approximately 1.6 million more doses. There are also 49,000 doses of Ralenza.

A portion of the stockpile consists of Taiwan-made generic equivalents of the two drugs. In November 2005, after an unsuccessful attempt to push Roche to grant local pharmaceutical companies manufacturing licenses, Taiwan became the first country to enact a World Trade Organization provision to enable it to make generic Tamiflu without the permission of Roche.

The companies involved in making the drugs include: Yung Zip Chemical, a subsidiary of Yung Shin Pharmaceuticals; ScinoPharm Taiwan, the island's largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturer; and China Chemical Synthesis Biotech Company, a subsidiary of China Chemical and Pharmaceutical Company.