Genentech Works to Expand Patient Access to Tamiflu During the 2017-2018 Flu Season

South San Francisco, CA — February 5th, 2018 —

In the midst of one of the most severe flu seasons in the US in nearly a decade, Genentech understands patients may be having difficulty accessing generic oseltamivir treatment. At this time, Genentech continues to have supply of all configurations of branded Tamiflu and has continued to work to provide this medicine to patients.

Over the last month, CDC has stated concerns in media briefings and on the CDC website regarding spot shortages of generic oseltamivir impacting access to the drug in the market place.

In order to improve patient access to branded Tamiflu in response to the public health concerns Genentech will:

• Continue to communicate with distributors to ensure they have adequate supply of branded Tamiflu, as well as drop ship Tamiflu directly to impacted pharmacies as requested to meet emergencies.
• Work with Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to help mitigate financial concerns for patients around utilization of branded Tamiflu through the end of the 2017-2018 flu season.

We believe these efforts will positively impact patient access to Tamiflu during the remainder of the 2017-2018 flu season.

Indications

Tamiflu is a prescription medicine used to treat the flu (influenza) in people 2 weeks of age and older who have had flu symptoms for no more than 2 days. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu in people 1 year and older.

Tamiflu does not prevent bacterial infections that may happen with the flu.

Tamiflu is not a substitute for an annual flu vaccination.

Patients must not take Tamiflu if they are allergic to oseltamivir phosphate or any of the ingredients in Tamiflu.

Important Safety Information

• If patients have an allergic reaction or a severe rash with Tamiflu, they must stop taking it and contact their doctor right away. This may be very serious.
• People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of seizure, confusion, or abnormal behavior early during their illness.
• Patients must let their doctor know if they are pregnant, nursing, have heart problems, breathing problems, a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), kidney problems or other medical conditions as Tamiflu may not be right for them.
• Patients must also tell their doctor about any medications they are taking or if they’ve received a nasal-spray flu vaccine in the past two weeks.
• The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.

Report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Patients and caregivers may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

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About Genentech

Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.