Roche prepares Tamiflu stocks for potential swine flu virus pandemic

Roche is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and governments around the world to make the oral antiviral medication Tamiflu available to patients following increased outbreaks of swine flu. The WHO and US CDC report Tamiflu is active against the new swine flu virus A(H1N1).

Roche claims the world is better prepared than ever before for a possible outbreak of pandemic influenza and has, for the last five years, been working closely with governments, health authorities and corporations.

William Burns, chief executive of the pharmaceuticals division of Roche, said: "The WHO recommends increasing pandemic preparedness. Roche is supporting these activities and is working closely with WHO and governments to fight a potential influenza pandemic."

To date, Roche has fulfilled government orders amounting to 220 million treatment courses of Tamiflu. The company also donated five million packs of the drug to WHO in 2006, consisting of a two million "Regional" and a three million "Rapid Response" stockpile. The WHO is holding the Regional stockpiles at various locations worldwide, while the Rapid Response stocks are on 24-hour stand-by and will be deployed at the WHO's request.

Roche is continuing to work with all stakeholders to manage the supply chain from starting materials to inventories in countries.