In a group statement, Act-Up Paris and African Essential Drug Network say, "Africa cannot afford to wait until Roche is done 'talking': ... renounce all its exclusive rights on Tamiflu in developing countries."
The groups are asking Roche to grant manufacturers access to their intellectual knowledge and commit to launching generic versions of Tamiflu in the developing world.
Under intense scrutiny from generic drug companies and politicians in developing nations and the United States, Roche earlier this week agreed to discuss granting licenses to others to make versions of Tamiflu.
Roche's Chief Executive Franz Humer says, "We will talk to anybody -- people who can manufacture the drug, and are able to manufacture it faster than us, and complement our manufacturing,"
Indian generic drug companies, Asian governments, and U.S. Senators have approached Roche over granting sub-licenses to farm out production of the drug. However, it is still unclear how sub-licensing will work in actuality.
World health Organization experts say stockpiles of Tamilfu and Relenza are in critical numbers.
