Question:
Based on the current influenza and H1N1 hysteria there will be a large number of prescriptions filled for oseltamivir in the coming weeks. This is part of some information that was emailed me from one of my attendings. I found it interesting.... What about some of the non-medical impacts of drugs?
Shikimic acid from the Chinese star anise is used as a base material for production of Tamiflu (oseltamivir). It is also used to flavor duck dishes in China. Star anise is harvested by local farmers between March and May, purified and the shikimic acid extracted at the start of a 10-stage manufacturing process which takes a year. The most dangerous part of the process involves the conversion of epoxide into azide in a reaction that produces highly explosive material. This is carried out by specialist companies that handle the material in small quantities to reduce the risk of explosion. Only star anise grown in the four provinces of China is suitable for manufacture into Tamiflu and 90 per cent of the harvest is already used by Roche.
Based on the current influenza and H1N1 hysteria there will be a large number of prescriptions filled for oseltamivir in the coming weeks. This is part of some information that was emailed me from one of my attendings. I found it interesting.... What about some of the non-medical impacts of drugs?
Shikimic acid from the Chinese star anise is used as a base material for production of Tamiflu (oseltamivir). It is also used to flavor duck dishes in China. Star anise is harvested by local farmers between March and May, purified and the shikimic acid extracted at the start of a 10-stage manufacturing process which takes a year. The most dangerous part of the process involves the conversion of epoxide into azide in a reaction that produces highly explosive material. This is carried out by specialist companies that handle the material in small quantities to reduce the risk of explosion. Only star anise grown in the four provinces of China is suitable for manufacture into Tamiflu and 90 per cent of the harvest is already used by Roche.
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