November 28, 2005

Asia-Pacific nations step up efforts against bird flu

In Vietnam on Sunday, about 900 people - including military, police, and health and agricultural officials - ran through a scenario in which throngs of people were falling ill and dying because the H5N1 virus had mutated.

Health Minister Tran Thi Trung Chien said the 2 1/2-hour drill served as a valuable lesson that showed the country's strengths and weaknesses.

Australia is to hold a similar exercise this week, while other countries are planning simulations to assess how well different government and civil agencies work together.

On Monday, Indian pharmaceutical company Nicholas Piramal India Ltd. said it is in talks with Roche Holding AG regarding the anti-bird flu drug Tamiflu.

"We have begun discussions with Roche. It is too early to say anything else," Nicholas Piramal Chairman Ajay Piramal said when asked whether the talks were for making the drug on contract or for licensing the production.

On Sunday, India's top drug manufacturer, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., said it was making progress in its talks with Roche to make a generic version of Tamiflu, which taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms makes the illness less severe.

The drug is in short supply as countries around the world try to stockpile it in case there is a human pandemic.