Central Board of Excise and Customs has issued an exemption order dated 21.05.2009 for duty free import of one million capsules of Tamiflu 75 mg (Oseltamivir Phosphate) being imported on behalf of the government by M/s Roche India Ltd. As part of the effort to create the buffer stock of drug, Oseltamivir Phosphate used for treatment of H1N1 Influenza, Government of India has decided that drug would be imported by M/s Roche India Ltd to supplement the stock manufactured in India. The buffer stock is to be maintained by M/s Roche India Ltd on behalf of the Government for supply to Government only. The Customs duty exemption order has been issued on the recommendation of the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

Customs duty exemption allows import of Tamiflu for a government buffer stock to supplement domestic supply. Customs duty exemption dated 21.05.2009 authorises duty-free import of one million Tamiflu 75 mg capsules by M/s Roche India Ltd on behalf of the Government; Roche will maintain the imported Oseltamivir buffer stock for supply exclusively to the Government, on recommendation of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, to supplement domestic production for H1N1 treatment.