GSK Japan Unit To Beef Up Relenza Supply For Resistant Flu Strain
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
GlaxoSmithKline KK of Japan plans to boost imports of its Relenza (zanamivir) to cope with the increasing resistance to Roche's Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for treating a spreading bird flu strain. The GSK subsidiary already had prepared to treat three million people in case of an H5N1 avian influenza outbreak. GSK KK plans to import enough Relenzafrom the parent firm's production facility in France to treat several hundred thousand more people. The Tamiflu-resistant flu strain is of the influenza A variety and is spreading in Japan. Japan's Health Ministry earlier had called for an increased supply of Relenza. (Click here for more - a subscription may be required