Roche gets US Tamiflu approval

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the flu drug Tamiflu for children aged between one and 12 years old.

The agency said that children were less likely to catch the flu from a household member if they take Tamiflu for flu prevention.

In a statement the FDA said: “This is the first drug approved for prevention of both influenza A and B in paediatric patients.

“Previously approved by FDA for both the prevention and treatment of influenza in adolescents 13 years and older, and in adults, Tamiflu also is approved for treatment of influenza in paediatric patients older than 1 year of age.”

It is also pointed out that the drug should not be used as a substitute for the flu vaccine and patients should continue receiving an annual flu vaccination. The most common side effects were nausea, vomiting, headache and fatigue.

Meanwhile Roche has signed a deal with the Indian government 30,000 doses of bird flu drug and a further deal for 50,000 doses of the generic form of the drug is also expected from Hetero Drugs.

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