Swiss drug maker Roche said last night it will meet four generic manufacturers over increasing production of the company's antiviral drug Tamiflu to prepare for a possible bird flu pandemic.
The plans were announced by New York Senator Charles Schumer after a meeting with Roche officials at the US Capitol and confirmed later by the company.
The generic makers are Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Barr Pharmaceuticals, Mylan Laboratories and Ranbaxy Laboratories, Mr Schumer said.
Roche said it would sub-license Tamiflu production to any company that can produce it in sufficient quantities, Mr Schumer said. "Within a few months, we will have much more Tamiflu available than if Roche produced it itself," he said.
A Roche spokesman confirmed the company would meet with the four generic producers "and any other company that wants to talk".
Tamiflu, known generically as oseltamivir, is considered the first line of defence against the H5N1 avian flu virus that experts fear could spark a deadly, worldwide outbreak in people.
Governments are rushing to stockpile the treatment. Forty countries have placed orders with Roche, and the company has been under pressure to allow others to produce Tamiflu so demand can be met quickly.