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WHO welcomes prospect of oseltamivir production in India and Thailand
Oct 20, 2005, 23:05, Reviewed by: Dr.
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�The Avian influenza situation is evolving rapidly .Our concern is to protect the world against the threat of an influenza pandemic. Stockpiling of the influenza drug, oseltamivir (Tamiflu), currently the only known drug to show some effectiveness against the H5N1 virus is an important defence against a flu pandemic. Therefore, enhancing availability of and access to antivirals such as oseltamivir is a critical issue,� said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director, WHO�s South-East Asia Region. He added, �We welcome the prospect of regional manufacture of oseltamivir in India and Thailand and also the press statements by Roche regarding its willingness to sub-licence the production to other manufacturers. With this step, a vastly greater amount of oseltamivir would become available which will significantly increase the preparedness. Thus the pharmaceutical industry in the developed and developing world would cooperate in the defence against a public health crisis in the developing world�.
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By WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia,
�The Avian influenza situation is evolving rapidly .Our concern is to protect the world against the threat of an influenza pandemic. Stockpiling of the influenza drug, oseltamivir (Tamiflu), currently the only known drug to show some effectiveness against the H5N1 virus is an important defence against a flu pandemic. Therefore, enhancing availability of and access to antivirals such as oseltamivir is a critical issue,� said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director, WHO�s South-East Asia Region. He added, �We welcome the prospect of regional manufacture of oseltamivir in India and Thailand and also the press statements by Roche regarding its willingness to sub-licence the production to other manufacturers. With this step, a vastly greater amount of oseltamivir would become available which will significantly increase the preparedness. Thus the pharmaceutical industry in the developed and developing world would cooperate in the defence against a public health crisis in the developing world�.
With avian influenza being reported in birds in European countries, the concern about the pandemic flagged earlier by WHO and other health experts has once again gained global attention. Given the global threat of avian influenza, concerns are being voiced worldwide about the unavailability of sufficient quantities of anti-viral drugs.
While no human cases have been reported from Europe, countries of the South-Asian Region, face the biggest risk of an avian influenza pandemic. Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam have already reported 117 human cases of avian influenza. Of these 60 people have died, and millions of birds have been culled in an attempt to prevent further spread of the disease. �With every fresh outbreak of H5N1 in birds, the pool of virus circulating in these countries has increased, adding to the risk of infecting more human beings, and perhaps increasing possibility of emergence of a pandemic virus,� said Dr Samlee.
When the pandemic strikes, it would rapidly move around the globe and each country would essentially need to be prepared to deal with its social and economic consequences, nationally.
WHO in the South-East Asia Region is supporting its Member Countries in formulating their national integrated influenza pandemic preparedness plans. Stockpiling of the anti viral drug, which would help to contain the spread the epidemic when it strikes, is one of the important components of the preparedness plan.
Country preparedness plans must include heightened influenza surveillance among human beings and birds, as early signs of disease and death would alert health authorities to take urgent action. Prompt, effective poultry outbreak containment, laboratory support, risk communication and strengthening capacity of human resources are other important response measures.
The avian influenza is a serious potential threat to human health and WHO is working with all its partners to prepare to contain its spread, and to treat those who are infected. 
- WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
WHO/SEARO
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