For those interested ...Reading between the lines one could...

For those interested ...
Reading between the lines one could assume that the stock of Tamiflu that has been 'released' to meet this seasonal 'demand', may be indicative of changing strategic stockpile ratios in reflection of growing concerns/awareness of (Tamiflu) resistance to H5N1, (re article below).
My only question would be price per unit of bulk order, once the market understands those economics, then the speculative momentum from the heavy-weights will occur if justified.
I may be wrong, the above is simply a lay interpretation.

No position currently though always watching. Best of luck to all holders & warm regards ...
: )


Nb.- Position & sentiment covered in the above.



**
(Recasts; Adds background, updated stock prices)
By Lisa Richwine
WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Swiss drug maker Roche
Holding AG said on Tuesday it had lifted restrictions
on shipments of influenza drug Tamiflu that were put in place
to prevent hoarding by consumers worried about bird flu.
Roche said it was now shipping the oral drug to all markets
to fight the seasonal flu widespread in several U.S. states.
The company said it previously was distributing Tamiflu
only to U.S. cities where a high incidence of influenza was
being reported.
Roche said it boosted shipments after seeing an increase in
flu reports in the United States and a Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention advisory to doctors to avoid using two
older flu drugs this season.
"We are prepared to meet seasonal demand for Tamiflu,
including any increase stemming from CDC's recent
announcement," George Abercrombie, president and chief
executive of Roche unit Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., said in a
statement.
Gilead Sciences Inc. invented Tamiflu and receives
royalties on sales of the drug, which also is known by the
generic name oseltamivir.
Tamiflu has been in high demand amid concerns that the H5N1
avian flu strain could mutate into a form easily spread among
people, causing a deadly, worldwide pandemic.
Governments and some consumers have rushed to stockpile
Tamiflu in the hopes it will help ease symptoms or prevent
infection from the avian flu.
Last October, Roche said it was halting shipments to the
United States so it could fill orders from governments and
preserve enough supply for the current flu season.
The company stepped up distribution earlier this month.
Also this month, health officials warned doctors to avoid
prescribing two older flu pills, amantadine and rimantadine,
and to use Tamiflu or GlaxoSmithKline Plc's
inhaled Relenza instead. Relenza was developed by Biota
Holdings Ltd.
The dominant flu strain in the United States has developed
resistance to the older drugs, the CDC said.
"We will continue to monitor the evolving environment and
do everything possible to effectively manage inventory so that
doctors and their patients can be assured that Tamiflu is
available to them for flu treatment and prevention,"
Abercrombie said.
Roche shares gained 1.4 percent in Swiss trading. Gilead
shares rose 1.45 percent in early afternoon trading on Nasdaq.
(Additional reporting by Susan Kelly in Chicago)
((Reporting by Lisa Richwine, editing by Leslie Gevirtz;
Reuters Messaging: [email protected]; +1
202 310-5691))
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Wednesday 25 January 2006 04:52:39 AEST