ROCHE ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF TAMIFLU

Swiss drugmaker Roche has announced that its antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is now available for the 2006-2007 influenza season for the treatment and prevention of influenza. The company has also confirmed that any government and corporate orders for stockpiling for an influenza pandemic are being progressed.

During the 2005–2006 season Roche had to restrict distribution of Tamiflu to wholesalers in many markets to ensure availability during an influenza outbreak. This led to the perception that Tamiflu was in short supply, but based on the available manufacturing capacities the supply shortage no longer exits, the company said.

Roche's global network for the manufacture of Tamiflu includes several Roche sites and more than 15 external contractors in 10 different countries. The expansion includes a fully functioning European supply chain and a North American supply chain for Tamiflu with an annual capacity of 80 million treatment courses. In addition, Roche has further extended global availability by offering sublicenses to Hetero Pharmaceuticals and the HEC Group in India and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals in China. Roche has also finalised an agreement on sharing technology with the South African company Aspen, allowing them to supply for pandemic use in the African continent.

Roche has also been working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and national governments to ensure governments are aware of the importance of stockpiling antivirals in the event of a pandemic situation, the company said. Roche has donated 5.125 million courses of Tamiflu to the WHO for international rapid response and regional response to a pandemic influenza strain.