Tamiflu is a prescription drug containing the active ingredient oseltamivir that is used to treat influenza virus infections by preventing the virus from spreading. It belongs to a class of antiviral drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors and must be started within two days of flu symptoms appearing. The patent for oseltamivir is held by Gilead Sciences until at least 2016, though it has expired in some countries, and the company has politically well-connected former government officials on its board of directors.

1. TAMIFLU (TAM-ih-flew)
Presentation by
M.SundaraRajan

2. What is it?
• TAMIFLU (TAM-ih-flew) is a medicine to treat flu
(infection caused by influenza virus). It belongs to a
group of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors.
These medications attack the influenza virus and prevent
it from spreading.
• Tamiflu is the brand name of the antiviral drug,
oseltamivir, which has been approved for the treatment
of flu. It is a prescription drug and must be started within
two days of getting flu like symptoms.
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3. Tamiflu - Oseltamivir Production
The patent for oseltamivir is held by Gilead Sciences and is
valid at least until 2016. Gilead licensed the exclusive
rights to Roche in 1996. The drug does not enjoy patent
protection in Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and several
other countries. Gilead is politically well connected:
Donald Rumsfeld served as chairman from 1997 until he
became U.S. Secretary of Defence in 2001; former
Secretary of State George Shultz and the wife of former
California Governor Pete Wilson serve on the board.
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