Chugai To Increase Supply Of Tamiflu In Japan

Chugai Pharmaceutical has announced to increase the supply of the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu Capsule 75 and Tamiflu Dry Syrup 3% (oseltamivir phosphate) imported from F Hoffmann-La Roche for production and marketing in Japan.

In 2008, the Japanese government determined a policy that Japan’s stockpile of anti-influenza drugs would be increased to cover 45% of the population as a reinforced protection against the new influenza pandemic. In response to this, Chugai has strengthened domestic manufacturing capacity since March 2009 to supply the products for stockpile by the Japanese and prefectural governments as early as possible.

Chugai will provide supply of 12 million treatment courses by March 2010 in addition to the current stock in the channel. This new supply will cover approximately 10% of the Japanese population, which is three times more of the amount supplied to the medical institutions last season.