Roche could face competition for Tamiflu in Russia

Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX) may face significant losses in Russia, due to a recent decision of the government to invest funds in the development of a new drug that could be considered as an analogue to Tamiflu (oseltamivir), one of Russia’s best-selling drugs for the treatment of flu.

To date, the government has already invested 33 million roubles (~$590,000) for the development of the new drug and there is a possibility that this sum will be significantly increased, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent.

So far, Roche’s Tamiflu has had no analogues in the Russian market, however there is a possibility that such a situation will change already next year. The development of the new drug will be finally completed by the end of next year.