October 27, 2005

 

India to step up bird checks for bird flu
 

 

India's government has stepped up its observation of bird populations and plans to stockpile anti-viral medicines, but the country faces no immediate bird flu threat, the Health Ministry said Wednesday.

 

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said the government would be talking to Swiss company Roche Holding AG, which makes the influenza drug Tamiflu, and to Indian companies that could make generic copies in a bid to build up a stock of at least 1 million courses of the drug.

 

"At this point in time, there is no such threat as such to India," Ramadoss said after a meeting of government officials and the WHO, held to review India's preparedness against a possible bird flu outbreak.

 

His comments came amid reports that 290 migratory birds had died in a sanctuary in eastern India, but officials said tests conducted on 111 birds there showed no sign of bird flu.

 

Thousands more tests are being conducted around the country, said Health Secretary Prasanna Kumar Hota.

 

Meanwhile, the government has banned poultry imports and was keeping a close watch on bird sanctuaries and wetlands that draw migratory birds from other parts of the world during the northern winter, Ramadoss said.

 

"Surveillance is the main part of our preparedness," he said. "We are also trying to spread awareness among health workers¡ªhow to identify a bird flu case, how to isolate it and quarantine."

 

The government would also start building a stock of 1 million courses of anti-flu medication, he said. Each course comprises 10 anti-viral pills.

 

However, Ramadoss played down health officials' earlier claims that they could use a legal loophole to let Indian companies make generic versions of Tamiflu without a licence from Roche.

 

"We don't want to antagonise anybody," Ramadoss said. "We will be talking to Roche for supplies. Their officials are coming here this week," he said. "Our companies are also talking to Roche."

 

Two Indian companies, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Cipla, have approached Roche for a license to copy Tamiflu, and have said they could start making the drug within months if the Swiss company agreed.

 

The two companies said their generic version would be much cheaper than Tamiflu, which costs up to US$60 for 10 pills-a lot of money for many in some parts of Asia where bird flu has claimed more than 60 lives since 2003.

 

Earlier this week, Health Ministry officials said WTO rules would let countries override patents if India facing a serious bird flu threat and consequent public health emergency.

 

If Indian companies were allowed to make the drug, Ramadoss said, they would still need Roche's help to find raw materials.