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Pact gives bird flu vaccine a production boost
BY GLENN THRUSH | WASHINGTON BUREAU
December 9, 2005
WASHINGTON - Roche Pharmaceuticals has agreed to a tenfold hike in the production on Tamiflu, the only drug proven to help victims of avian flu, according to an agreement announced yesterday by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsay Graham (D-S.C.).
The company would permit 15 generic drug labs to produce Tamiflu, upping annual production of the life-saving medicine from 27 million to more than 300 million doses by the end of 2006, Schumer said.
But those generic firms, which include Teva Pharmaceuticals and Mylan Laboratories, would be given the right only if the U.S. government guarantees buyers for the medicine.
"Roche has made the right decision," said Schumer, who suggested the use of generic makers during an October meeting with Roche USA chief executive George Abercrombie. "Instead of closely holding their patent rights ... they've moved swiftly to partner with multiple companies."
Government web site on pandemic flu A Roche spokesman wouldn't confirm details other than to say the company was in "advanced discussions" with Teva and Mylan. Two hundred generic producers applied to Roche for the right to produce all or part of the drug, a company official said.
Since 2003, the H5N1 avian flu has killed almost 70 people in Asia, half the number infected.
Most of those killed had direct contact with infected chickens. Scientists warn a bird flu pandemic could kill millions if the virus mutates into a form that is easily transmissible from person to person.
BY GLENN THRUSH | WASHINGTON BUREAU
December 9, 2005
WASHINGTON - Roche Pharmaceuticals has agreed to a tenfold hike in the production on Tamiflu, the only drug proven to help victims of avian flu, according to an agreement announced yesterday by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsay Graham (D-S.C.).
The company would permit 15 generic drug labs to produce Tamiflu, upping annual production of the life-saving medicine from 27 million to more than 300 million doses by the end of 2006, Schumer said.
But those generic firms, which include Teva Pharmaceuticals and Mylan Laboratories, would be given the right only if the U.S. government guarantees buyers for the medicine.
"Roche has made the right decision," said Schumer, who suggested the use of generic makers during an October meeting with Roche USA chief executive George Abercrombie. "Instead of closely holding their patent rights ... they've moved swiftly to partner with multiple companies."
Government web site on pandemic flu A Roche spokesman wouldn't confirm details other than to say the company was in "advanced discussions" with Teva and Mylan. Two hundred generic producers applied to Roche for the right to produce all or part of the drug, a company official said.
Since 2003, the H5N1 avian flu has killed almost 70 people in Asia, half the number infected.
Most of those killed had direct contact with infected chickens. Scientists warn a bird flu pandemic could kill millions if the virus mutates into a form that is easily transmissible from person to person.
