The government today exempted Tamiflu, drug used for the treatment of H1N1 Influenza (swine flu), from Customs duty allowing duty-free import of 1 million 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 Ltd has been allowed to import 1 million capsule of Tamiflu 75 mg.
“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 Ltd 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.