South Korean FDA Probes Roche for Aiding Tamiflu Stockpiling

By Shirley S. Wang

Should companies be allowed to buy large quantities of medicine like Tamiflu to have on hand in case their employees develop the H1N1 flu virus? Not according to the law in South Korea, where it’s illegal for non-medical professionals to purchase big lots of drugs. Punishment is up to five years in prison.

The law is at the center of a probe of Tamiflu maker Roche, which is being investigated by the Korean Food and Drug Adminstration for allegedly helping companies like HSBC and fellow drug maker Novartis get the stuff, according to Bloomberg. The Korean FDA launched the probe because it says that HSBC and Norvartis bought enough Tamiflu to treat 6,000 people. Roche says it is “cooperating fully with the authorities.”

In the U.S., meanwhile, criticism has flared over how H1N1 flu vaccine has been distributed to big banks like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. The WSJ notes that these employers had to sign an agreement to give shots to those considered a priority by the CDC, such as pregnant women and those at risk of complications from the flu. Both Goldman and Citi say they followed the CDC rules.

The CDC says the vaccine was first distributed to doctors and health centers, but as more was produced, distribution was expanded to “adult providers.”

But at least one congressman wants an explanation from government officials. “I am concerned that the distribution of the vaccine is resulting in favored treatment for the privileged,” Rep. Frank Pallone told the WSJ.