Swiss and Chinese Make Big Profits off H1N1 Swine Flu

By Morgan Mayhew on October 17, 2009

Swiss pharmaceutical company, Roche, maker of Tamiflu is projecting $2.6 billion in sales of their anti-viral drug, Tamiflu, in 2009.

Tamiflu reduces symptoms of the flu but that comfort comes at a price. The drug is costing American families over $10 per pill of Tamiflu. A normal course of ten capsules will cost families approximately $104 at a Wal-Mart pharmacy.

With the flu season just beginning, over 86 children have died from the H1N1 strain. In the three previous years, the worst flu season resulted in 88 deaths in total. Eleven children have died just this week alone as the virus spreads.

With the high price of Tamiflu, many families will not have the opportunity to use the drug that can significantly reduce fevers and symptoms of the influenza strain. Additionally, no lower-priced generic versions of the drug are available, as Roche's patent does not expire until 2016.

Roche relies on the Chinese spice, star anise, to produce the active ingredient in Tamiflu. Ninety percent of the world's supply of star anise comes form China and the cost of the spice has soared by 30% in recent months.

With the Obama administration debating nationalized healthcare, the Swiss company Roche and the Chinese government seem to be taking advantage of the distraction by charging exorbitant prices for medicine that could save the lives of children around the world.