[Ip-health] Reuters: Argentina to Issue Compulsory License for Tamiflu

[Mike Palmedo]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N18332518.htm

Argentina says plans to produce own bird flu drug

19 Oct 2005 01:34:00 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Hilary Burke

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Argentina plans to produce a
generic version of the patented drug Tamiflu to protect against bird
flu, which scientists warn could turn into a deadly human pandemic,
officials said on Tuesday.

Tamiflu, developed by Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG <ROG.VX>, is one
of the drugs the World Health Organization recommends stockpiling in
case the virus mutates to spread rapidly among humans. More than 60
people have died in Asia after contracting the flu from birds.

"Many countries, Argentina among them, have built up reserves of these
antivirals. We have bought them, but this laboratory's production is not
sufficient to meet world demand," Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia
told Reuters.

"We don't have to wait until the virus appears to say we are going to do
this and produce the drug. We must have it in case the virus appears."

Under pressure to boost Tamiflu supplies, Roche said it might let rival
firms and governments make it under license.

Argentina said it would exercise its right, enshrined in international
accords, to issue a compulsory license to produce generic copies of
patented drugs in a medical emergency.

"This is being discussed in Geneva, in the World Trade Organization.
This is not just an issue for Argentina," Gonzalez Garcia said.

Last week, Indian drugmaker Cipla <CIPL.BO> announced it had already
begun making a copycat version of the Roche flu treatment. Roche said
Cipla had not yet contacted the company to discuss a production license
but one government in Asia, which it would not name, did get in touch.

The especially virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu has been found in flocks
from Japan to Indonesia, and has moved west into Turkey and Romania.

In Latin America, the virus appeared in Chile in 2002, and Colombia
announced last week it had discovered a mild strain.

Argentine officials said the country was at low risk for avian flu. The
majority of Argentina's highly industrialized poultry production is
consumed locally and its few imports come mainly from neighboring Brazil.

Researchers have warned the virus is showing signs it can evade the
effects of Tamiflu, illustrating the need to find and use other
treatments and work quickly to develop a vaccine. (Additional reporting
by Karina Grazina)