November 29, 2006

No increase in bird flu's resistance to Tamiflu observed, says Roche

There have been no new cases of resistance seen in patients infected with H5N1 virus and scientific data does not substantiate increased resistance to Tamiflu, confirmed Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Holding AG (RHHBY).

Over the last few months, there has been erroneous speculation over growing resistance to anti-viral drug Tamiflu an area Roche and independent groups have been closely monitoring. They have however, ruled out any scientific evidence in support of the same.

Governments can be confident that Tamiflu could continue to be used in the treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal and H5N1 influenza, said David Reddy, Roche's Influenza Pandemic Taskforce Leader.

To date, there have only been three documented cases of Tamiflu resistance to avian influenza H5N1, Roche said.

In one case, a patient already exhibiting clinical symptoms was administered with the prophylactic dose (75 mg daily) rather than the treatment dose (75 mg twice daily). The under-dose resulted in increasing the risk of resistance, the company said.