Roche selects Ketchum for pandemic work

pharmafile | May 17, 2007 | News story | Medical Communications  

PR agency Ketchum has scooped a global account for Tamiflu as Roche begins further research into its use against bird flu.

Tamiflu became a household name in 2005 as fears about a pandemic increased and governments around the world sought to stockpile the drug in preparation against the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The World Health Organisation recently re-iterated its warnings for governments to be vigilant against a potential pandemic outbreak. In the UK enough Tamiflu has been ordered to cover 25% of the population and the government is discussing doubling the size of its stockpile.

Ketchum's brief on Tamiflu extends across a range of services, including corporate PR and government relations with a focus on pandemic preparation.

One of the agency's first tasks since winning the account was to publicise new data published by the WHO showing a low level of resistance to Tamiflu (oseltamivir) in seasonal influenza.

As with any anti-viral medication, there is a risk a strain of the virus could emerge that is resistant to a particular drug, but Roche says there have only been three documented cases of Tamiflu resistance to date.

Meanwhile Roche is conducting further research into the H5N1 virus and the use of Tamiflu. This includes pre-clinical studies to find the best dose of Tamiflu against different strains and investigating the feasibility of an intravenous formulation of the treatment.

Related Content

No items found

Latest content