# 706
In another surprise twist in the panflu story, Roche, the makers of Tamiflu, have announced a cutback in production.
Roche Ag Roche cuts Tamiflu production as supply exceeds new orders
ZURICH (Thomson Financial) - Roche Holding AG announced it will reduce production of its flu treatment Tamiflu as current supply significantly exceeds orders.
Tamiflu is seen as the first-line treatment in case of a potential outbreak of pandemic flu.
The drug's production capacity had been substantially expanded in the past to meet large government orders.
Due to Roche's efforts the global manufacturing network for Tamiflu can produce in excess of 400 million treatments annually, the Basel-based drug maker said.
The wealthier nations of the world have already ordered what they assume will be an adequate supply of Tamiflu.
Recent revelations regarding the number of pills required per dose have called those assumptions into question, but few nations are likely to double their order of antivirals at this late date.
As far as the rest of the world is concerned, the Tamiflu option is too expensive to consider. So Roche must tailor their production to meet the current demand. And that means, should a pandemic erupt, we won't have enough to deal with the threat.
Of course, there is a win-win solution, but I doubt anyone would seriously consider it.
For the past two years our government, and governments around the world, have actively discouraged doctors from writing Tamiflu prescriptions to individuals who might want to have it on hand, just in case.
Their reasoning? The shortage of the drug, while governments were attempting to stockpile it.
If there truly is a glut, and Roche needs to cut back on production, why not encourage doctors to write Rx's for those families who would like to have it in their medicine chest?
Roche, which has been selling bulk Tamiflu to governments for a fraction of the retail price, should in turn reduce the selling price by 50% to allow more people to afford it.
They would still make a handsome profit, they would sell more of their product, and many more people would have this medicine available should a pandemic erupt.
Oh, I know the arguments. It's too dangerous to let the public have access to this drug. They won't use it properly, they'll take it at the wrong time, they will take it for regular flu.
I'd submit that those who opted to buy Tamiflu in advance are probably savvy enough to avoid these pitfalls. They'd be buying it because they were informed enough about a pandemic threat to spend one hundred dollars per individual for that protection.
I doubt many would use it in a frivolous or reckless fashion.
Of course this all makes too much sense. So I wouldn't hold my breath.
