Anti-flu drug production

THE Swiss manufacturer of the only available anti-flu drug announced it was building a new US plant to increase production amid fears of a major flu outbreak.

Also yesterday, an Indian drug company said it was seeking a license from the pharmaceutical giant, Roche, to produce a generic version of the anti-flu drug Tamiflu to make it more widely available.

Cipla Ltd announced it was seeking a license from Roche to manufacture a generic version of Tamiflu. The firm, which said last week that it has already developed a generic version, plans to approach Roche shortly.