David Reddy, a Roche representative attending the 4th Australian Influenza Symposium, shared insights into Roches perspective on pandemic planning.  These include:

• At WHO pandemic phase 4 Roche will suspend supplying NEW corporate orders and normal retail sails until the requirements of WHO and governments are met. 
• Roche's production of Tamiflu has decreased as purchase orders have decreased.
• Roche's future production of Tamiflu will be mediated by a range of factors but the top two will be:

1. to provide maximum possible health benefit

2. address the needs of Roche and its shareholders.

• It was noted that most Tamiflu stockpiles were purchased between 2004 - 2007 and most will expire between 2009 and 2012
• Shelf life extensions have been approved for some government stockpiles - from 5 years to 7 years (approved for government stockpiles only because of the high standard of storage environments)
  

• GSK and Roche have been invited  to attend joint advisory sessions with FDA to discuss personalised antiviral treatment kits for use in the community under health department guideance. These are only to be used under direction of public health authorities, next flu season the kits will be tested and compliance will be judged based on compliance with NOT opening the kit (assuming there is no pandemic and people are NOT told to use the kits).  The kits will be supplied on prescription with an algorithm for taking the drug  developed by HHS.  
  
• Finally, David shared that all Roche employees have 9 packs of Tamiflu.