Govt scraps import duty on Tamiflu

The government today exempted Tamiflu, drug used for the treatment of H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) from customs duty allowing duty free import of 10 lakh capsules of the medicine.

Tamiflu, a patented drug of Swiss pharmaceutical major Roche, is the only available medicine against H1N1 influenza known as swine flu.

According to an official statement, Roche India has been allowed to import 10 lakh capsule of Tamiflu 75 mg (Oseltamivir Phosphate).

"As part of the effort to create a buffer stock of the drug, Oseltamivir Phosphate, used for the treatment of H1N1 influenza, government has decided that the drug would be imported by Roche India to supplement the stock manufactured in India," an official statement said.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs has issued an exemption order for duty free import of one million capsules of Tamiflu in 75 mg strength, it said.

The duty exemption order has been issued on the recommendation of the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

The government has earlier said that it would maintained a stock pile of three million capsules of the drug and has already placed orders for the purchase.