Who will make a killing?
The World Health Organization recommends countries should stock enough Tamiflu (one of the two antiviral medicines for avian influenza) for a quarter of their population to ward off a possible outbreak. At a cost of US $60 per course of medication, this means the total spending could touch US $100 billion.
With global spending on the drug shooting through the roof, Swiss firm Roche AG, the sole maker of Tamiflu, has refused to grant licences to other drug producers, inviting sharp criticism. The recent strife between Roche and Cipla prompted India to allow compulsory licensing in the country. This means that companies can manufacture the drug but cannot export to other countries (see
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