Japanese Prefectures Struggle To Meet New Goals Of Flu Drug Stockpiles

Nearly a third of Japan's 47 prefectures have increased their stock of Roche's Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and GlaxoSmithKline's Relenza (zanamivir) to treat H1N1 flu cases should they occur. The 15 are stepping up their stockpiling of the drugs to meet a national government target of being able to treat as much as 45 percent of the population. A survey shows the stockpiling success varies widely by prefecture, with some nearly complete and others still struggling. The Japanese system calls for the central government to obtain half the drugs and each prefecture to acquire the other half. (Click here for more