Pharmaceutical maker Roche Holding AG said Wednesday a new initiative will ensure that poor countries get its antiviral drug against swine flu at a lower price. Under the Tamiflu Reserves Program, Roche will produce and ship the drug to developing countries upon order at a “significantly reduced price,” it said. A treatment of Tamiflu for a single ill person will cost between C2 euros and 6 euros (US$2.80 and $8.50), depending on the dosage, Roche said in a statement. The price excludes local taxes or tariffs, it added.
Tamiflu sells for as much as $100 per five-day treatment course in countries such as the U.S., but since 2005 the company has offered a discounted price of $16 per treatment to poor nations. Roche has also given approval for two companies – one in China and one in India – to produce Tamiflu generically.
via The Canadian Press: Roche gives poor countries easier access to swine flu drug Tamiflu.