Potential Tamiflu Shortage Prompts Canadian Government To OK Generics

Roche is the patent holder for Tamiflu which is widely regarded as the leading drug to stockpile in preparation for a potential flu pandemic. However, making enough of that drug to satiate an increasing global demand is a task best not left to one lone company. As such, there is a legal provision that allows the Canadian government to approve of a list of drugs that can be manufactured generically and then subsequently exported to countries in need. One such company is Biolyse Pharma Corp. which operates out of St. Catharines, Ontario.

"We'd like to have our first pill rolling off our encapsulator within six months"

But will the move to approve the generic manufacturing of Tamiflu boost stockpiles within Canada's borders? The short answer is, no. Patent law will forbid the domestic distribution of generic Tamiflu in Canada, so while this move will help boost global inventories, it will not directly result in more Tamiflu doses for Canadians.

"If Biolyse is successful at the end of the day, that will not be a springboard, ever, to supplying the domestic market. It's a wholly different process with entirely different criteria"

Canada cites potential Tamiflu shortage as reason for allowing generic exports [CBC]

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Potential Tamiflu Shortage Prompts Canadian Government To OK Generics

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