Roche Pharmaceuticals (RHHBY)

Yes, Genentech is expensive. But by purchasing the remaining 45% or so that Roche doesn't own, Roche will be able to combine all its oncology products under a single contract. Then, it can offer discounts on one of a kind must-buy drugs, like Avastin, if and only if hospitals and oncology clinics purchase Roche's herceptin and anemia products as well, which are in competitive markets. The benefit of this merger isn't the cost savings - it's the marketing / contract synergies.

Mexico swine flu deaths spur global epidemic fears. By MARK STEVENSON, Associated Press Writer Mark Stevenson, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 6 mins ago

MEXICO CITY – A unique strain of swine flu is the suspected killer of dozens of people in Mexico, where authorities closed schools, museums, libraries and theaters in the capital on Friday to try to contain an outbreak that has spurred concerns of a global flu epidemic.

The worrisome new virus — which combines genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way researchers have not seen before — also sickened at least eight people in Texas and California, though there have been no deaths in the U.S...........

The CDC says two flu drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, seem effective against the new strain. Roche, the maker of Tamiflu, said the company is prepared to immediately deploy a stockpile of the drug if requested.

Both drugs must be taken early, within a few days of the onset of symptoms, to be most effective.

Cordoba said Mexico has enough Tamiflu to treat 1 million people, but the medicine will be strictly controlled and handed out only by doctors.

Associated Press Writers Maria Cheng in London; Traci Carl in Mexico City; Mike Stobbe in Atlanta, Georgia; and Malcolm Ritter in New York contributed to this report.

Flu season will hit this fall. It is already affecting summer camp attendees. The administration of tamiflu decreases the symptoms to minimal illness if adminstered within 24 hours of the flu symptoms. Important for the younger population. People will be stock piling tamiflu.