India to boost Tamiflu stockpile

India plans to increase stockpiles of the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu or its generic version by 10-fold, from one million to 10 million currently, Bloomberg reported, citing Vineet Choudhary, joint secretary, Ministry of Health.

India has also received quotations for supply of the drug from Ranbaxy Laboratories, Cipla, Hetero Drugs and the Indian unit of Roche Holding AG, he said.

The WHO today urged countries to make final preparations to deal with a virus that may sweep across the globe. The WHO has confirmed 154 cases in nine countries. According to agencies, the flu has killed up to 176 people in Mexico.

Batches of seed virus are being developed for potential vaccine production, according to the WHO. Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis SA, Baxter International Inc and GlaxoSmithKline Plc are talking with world health authorities about how to produce a vaccine.