Roche: Thais, Philippines may do Tamiflu

Thailand and the Philippines are free to begin making their own versions of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu in preparation for a bird flu pandemic, the medicine's maker Roche Holding AG said on Monday.

The pill, which governments are stockpiling as a precaution against a virulent outbreak of flu, does not have patent protection in either country, meaning that the Thai and Philippine governments are free to make their own versions. The move follows a similar decision by Indonesia last week and could create a source of cheap Tamiflu for other developing countries who are unable to afford the Roche-branded drug.

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