December 1, 2005

 

Philippine company to donate US$1.25 million worth of bird-flu drug

 

 

A Philippine pharmaceutical company said Thursday it would manufacture and donate US$1.25 million worth of an anti-flu drug to the Health Department, for fighting possible bird flu infections.

 

The donation by United Laboratories Inc., or Unilab, of the drug oseltamivir, enough to treat about 50,000 people, would form part of the country's stockpile as it braced for a possible outbreak of the virulent H5N1 bird flu strain, said Health Secretary Francisco Duque the Third.

 

The drug, also known as Tamiflu, has shown promise in the treatment of human H5N1 bird flu infections, which almost always came from direct contact with poultry.

 

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the donation "is a big step in preparing the country in the eventuality that bird flu enters our shores."

 

Separately, the government has ordered enough of the drug to treat 7,500 people from Swiss manufacturer Roche.

 

The first shipment from Roche is expected to arrive this month, but the company "is having extreme difficulty honouring its commitment," Duque said, adding that the company has been swamped with orders from many countries.

 

Duque has warned that "it's just a matter of time" before the H5N1 strain hit the Philippines.

 

The disease has been ravaging poultry stocks across Asia since 2003 and has jumped to humans, killing at least 68, most in Vietnam and Thailand, according to the World Health Organization.

 

Authorities fear that the virus could mutate into a form that passes easily from person to person, sparking a global flu pandemic.

 

In a statement, Unilab said oseltamivir was not covered by any patent in the Philippines, a position shared by Roche, and its production would only be "constrained by global shortage of the raw material."

 

Duque said the raw materials would be obtained from India.

 

The Philippines has banned imports of all domestic and wild birds and poultry products from countries affected by the disease.

 

Officials have tightened surveillance over 55 swamplands that drew migratory birds, and have been conducting regular blood tests on ducks and chickens in nearby areas.

 

The government has also banned hunting migratory birds, which could become disoriented and come into contact with local birds when shot at.