FDA approves first generic version of widely used flu drug Tamiflu

Indian generics firm Natco Pharma (BSE: 524816) says it has received final approval of its Abbreviated New Drug Application filed with the US Food and Drug Administration for oseltamivir phosphate oral capsules - a generic version of Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX) subsidiary Genentech’s influenza drug Tamiflu.

Natco and its marketing partner, USA-based Alvogen, are the first generic-drug companies to receive approval of a generic version of Tamiflu, the companies stated.

As a result of a mild flu season last year, Tamiflu sales slid 28% to 705 million Swiss francs ($715 million). In the first half of this year, the drug notched up sales of 410 million francs. US sales of Tamiflu were around $403 million for 12 months ending December 2015, according to IMS Health data quoted by Natco.