Not enough time for Tamiflu?

Late in the last year, when bird flu out-breaking worldwide, Tamiflu® which is approved for the prevention and treatment of influenza became in great demands.

At that time, people in taiwan queried whether Roche Pharmaceuticals has enough time to produce Tamiflu® to meet the global demands and why Roche refuses to authorize taiwan government for Tamiflu® production? Taiwan government said would produce Tamiflu® disregarding infringement of Roche's proprietory right, if bird flu really threaten taiwan.

Now, it seems to have ample time for Roche, announcing today that a Tamiflu® supply chain is now fully operational in the U.S., with an annual production capacity of 80 million treatment courses.

In addtion, Roche said their capacity, 400 million treatment courses of Tamiflu annually from Roche's global manufacturing network includes 7 Roche sites and more than 16 external contractors located in 10 different countries, currently outstrips demand.

So kind the bird flu, or people made so much of a trifle?