Roche says Tamiflu still number one drug for fighting bird flu

Drug giant Roche has denied there has been any new evidence that suggests resistance to its drug Tamiflu was on the increase.

The announcement comes as many governments move to deploy the treatment against avian influenza in humans and some are considering adding to their arsenal of bird flu protection by ordering other more recently developed flu fighting drugs.

Roche says suggestions in recent months that the H5N1 bird flu virus is becoming resistant to Tamiflu, is no more than erroneous speculation with no scientific evidence to back such claims.

Roche says there have been no fresh cases since March 2005.

The Swiss drug firm assures that Tamiflu, which is recommended by the U.N.'s World Health Organisation as a first line of defence against the deadly virus, should remain a critical drug for stockpiling in the event of an influenza pandemic.