November 28, 2005

Taiwan requests for licence to produce Tamiflu

Taiwan on Saturday joined an increasing number of Asian governments that are seeking to produce the anti-bird flu drug Tamiflu.

Countries around the world are trying to stockpile Tamiflu-a drug that helps to reduce flu symptoms in humans in case there is a human pandemic-which experts fear could happen if the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus mutates into a form that passes easily between people.

So far, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam have secured permission from Swiss-based drug maker Roche to produce the medicine on their own. Other countries are in talks with the company.

Japan will need at least two years to reach its goal of stockpiling enough Tamiflu for 21 million people, Kyodo News agency said Saturday.

Tamiflu is widely used in Japan, which was hit by bird flu last year for the first time in decades.

Taiwan's Intellectual Property Office said the island would request a "compulsory license" to make Tamiflu once its Roche-supplied stocks are used up if Roche does not agree to let a local company make the drug.

WHO regulations allow for drug patents to be violated in medical emergencies if the patent holder is compensated later.

Roche expressed surprise at Taiwan's announcement. In a statement on its website, it said Taiwan's move was unnecessary because "agreed delivery timelines will be met by Roche". The company confirmed it would complete delivery of 2.3 million Tamiflu treatments-covering 10 percent of Taiwan's population¡ªnext year.