Chugai to provide Tamiflu doses for Japan earthquake victims

Chugai is to offer supplies of Tamiflu, the anti-influenza medicine developed by parent company Roche, to those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Stockpiles of the drug that have been imported for production and marketing in the Asian nation have been made available to local governments in the affected areas, following signs of influenza infection in refuge centres.

Additionally, the company has agreed to make a donation of around 60,000 Tamiflu treatment courses, which will mainly be supplied to the prefectures that were worst impacted by the natural disaster.

In a statement, Chugai said this decision has been taken in light of the increasingly urgent demand for medication following the earthquake on March 11th 2011.

It said: "Chugai wishes the earliest possible recovery of the affected area and will continue to consider what additional support it may provide."

This comes after the firm pledged to provide a cash donation of 100 million yen (763,400 pounds) to the Japanese Red Cross Society earlier this month in order to support relief efforts.