Sources close to Jalisco pharmaceutical manufacturer Laboratorios Pisa say the firm is looking to develop its own “Tamiflu” anti-flu medication after Roche’s patent for oseltamivir expired at the end of last month.
A generic form of Tamiflu, however, is unlikely to hit the market until 2018, given the multitude of tests and legal processes involved.
Tamiflu was launched in the United States, Canada and Switzerland during 1999/2000, and in key European markets in 2002.
Tamiflu supplies dwindled during this year’s flu season, with many pharmacies in Jalisco running out the medication.
Because of the high demand and long manufacturing lead times for Tamiflu, Roche has made clear that it is highly unlikely to fulfill large orders of the drug at short notice. The company has encouraged governments over the last three years to stockpile in advance.
Mexico’s public health institutions have stressed they have sufficient supplies to meet demand.