What do Tokyo teenagers falling from buildings have in common with Roche? Possibly Tamiflu. The Japanese government restricted Tamiflu use in teenagers in March, after the falls were reported. Prescriptions dropped, and not just among teenagers. They dropped so far, in fact, that Roche's Japanese partner Chugai now expects to sell only 6 million treatment courses this flu season, compared with 12 million in years past.
In announcing that its Tamiflu supply would be cut in half, Chugai hastened to note that "no causal association between Tamiflu and these events has been determined." And the company pledged to have back-up plans in case a severe flu season leads to increased demand.
- read the press release from Chugai
- check out the Forbes report
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