“ROCHE reported that sales of its Tamiflu antiviral drug, touted as the best defense against the H5N1 bird flu, had grown by 263% in the first nine months of 2005 compared with 2004 (total drug sales rose by 20%). The Swiss pharmaceuticals group also faced some criticism for not allowing other firms to manufacture Tamiflu, but said it was ready to discuss "all available options" and would raise its production by opening a new factory in the United States.” Why the United States? Because that’s where the money is.
263% and they still have another quarter to go in the calendar year sales. $60 per treatment, per person. Not a bad return on their money.
Switching gears here…One thing that isn’t reported on very much is the possibility of an economic meltdown if the virus gets to the poultry industry in America. The virus was reported in Greece today, the first of the EU countries to find it.
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