Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG said on Wednesday it has stepped up distribution of its Tamiflu flu treatment to wholesalers serving U.S. markets that have reported a high incidence of influenza.
Roche said it would continue to meet seasonal demand for the prescription antiviral medicine, also known by the chemical name oseltamivir phosphate, and work with governments to supply stockpiles of the drug in preparation for any potential flu pandemic.
Tamiflu can reduce the duration and severity of the flu if taken within two days of the onset of symptoms.
Demand for the drug has soared amid fears that the avian flu that has caused more than 70 human deaths in Asia could turn into a major flu pandemic.
Doctors and healthcare officials hope that high doses of Tamiflu may help reduce symptoms of avian flu if it begins to easily infect people.
Roche said it has implemented an inventory management plan to ensure adequate supplies would be available for seasonal flu demand. The company said Tamiflu will continue to be shipped where it is needed.
The U.S. states that have already reported a high incidence of seasonal flu include California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Nevada and Kansas, Roche said.