Roche Says Indonesia Can Make Tamiflu

Roche Holding Ltd. said Indonesia could make a generic version of Tamiflu without its license because the medicine, which may be useful in treating avian influenza, isn’t protected by a patent in the Southeast Asian nation.

“We’ve informed the government they can produce it for local use,” said Martina Rupp, a spokeswoman for the Swiss drug maker. “Quality guidelines will have to be assured by the Indonesian government.”

The move will help Indonesia prepare for a possible outbreak of avian influenza among humans. The government could ask state-owned PT Kimia Farma or PT Indofarma to make the medicine, Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari said.