Hetero grabs large piece of governments order for Tamiflu

Hyderabad-based Hetero Drugs has been awarded an order to supply 9 million capsules of a generic version of the Tamiflu — the drug used in the treatment of swine flu — from the Indian government. The deal is valued between Rs 35 and Rs 36 crore.

The government had invited bids for 10 million dosages of the drug as a precautionary measure to fight against swine flu. Ranbaxy, Cipla and Roche Holding AG were the other bidders.

The company will complete the order by June 2009, out of which 2 million will be delivered in this week and another 3 million by the month end. The balance 4 million will be delivered by June 10, 2009.

The company is the authorized manufacturer of generic version of Tamiflu of Roche Holding AG, Switzerland which is known as Fluvir.