Swine flu drug-maker Roche sees profits dive

PRE-TAX profits at the Irish subsidiary of Swiss-owned pharmaceutical giant and swine flu drug producer, Roche, plunged to €8.8 million last year from €26.6m a year earlier.

The accounts for Co Clare-based Roche Ireland Ltd show turnover fell from €102.3m to €92.5m in 2008.

The parent company of Roche recently produced first-half results showing a huge surge in sales of swine flu drug, Tamiflu. They helped the Swiss group increase underlying operating profits by 13% to €7.54 billion.