New Delhi

With the government indicating on Monday that it would soon procure 20 million capsules of the generic antiviral drug Tamiflu in the wake of the spread  of swine flu, drug makers across the country including Ranbaxy, Cipla, Hetero  and Roche are bracing themselves for a hike in production of the in-demand drug.

“Ranbaxy produces Oseltamivir API (Tamiflu) and formulations and can commence supplies at a fairly short notice," said Ramesh Adige, president, corporate affairs, Ranbaxy Laboratories.

"If required, we can provide close to a million capsules in the next few weeks to the Indian market. We  have so far supplied Oseltamivir to Malaysia, Oman and a country in Africa. We stand ready to supply Oseltamivir, to meet urgent requirements of countries, to tide over the crisis emerging from outbreak of swine flu,” he added.

Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had on Monday said that government has exhausted 75 per cent of the 10 million Tamiflu stock.

Apart from replenishing stocks, the government is also likely to take a decision to  allow retail sale of the drug which would increase demand further.
Cipla, Hetero drugs and Natco have all indicated they would increase production of the drug in view of the demand.

“Scaling up will not be an issue and once we get the order, it can be done,” Amar Lulla, joint Managing Director, Cipla has said. “We can manufacture 4-5 million dosages in six weeks but the raw material for more production will be available.”Flu vaccine flies off the shelves

HT Correspondent

letters@hindustantimes.com

New Delhi

With the government indicating on Monday that it would soon procure 20 million capsules of the generic antiviral drug Tamiflu in the wake of the spread  of swine flu, drug makers across the country including Ranbaxy, Cipla, Hetero  and Roche are bracing themselves for a hike in production of the in-demand  drug.

“Ranbaxy produces Oseltamivir API (Tamiflu) and formulations and can commence supplies at a fairly short notice," said Ramesh Adige, president, corporate affairs, Ranbaxy Laboratories.

"If required, we can provide close to a million capsules in the next few weeks to the Indian market. We  have so far supplied Oseltamivir to Malaysia, Oman and a country in Africa. We stand ready to supply Oseltamivir, to meet urgent requirements of countries, to tide over the crisis emerging from outbreak of swine flu,” he added.

Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had on Monday said that government has exhausted 75 per cent of the 10 million Tamiflu stock.

Apart from replenishing stocks, the government is also likely to take a decision to  allow retail sale of the drug which would increase demand further.
Cipla, Hetero drugs and Natco have all indicated they would increase production of the drug in view of the demand.

“Scaling up will not be an issue and once we get the order, it can be done,” Amar Lulla, joint Managing Director, Cipla has said. “We can manufacture 4-5 million dosages in six weeks but the raw material for more production will be available.”