Scientists in Vietnam claim that they have finally located and isolated the key compound for the bird flu drug Tamiflu that is said to be the only effective treatment for the deadly H5N1 virus. The compound called shikimic acid is found in star anise a rare plant that adds flavour to local food. Oseltamivir phosphate as Tamiflu is technically called cannot be made without this shikimic acid.

Vietnam's Chemistry Institute set up its program to locate the shikimic acid in January following bird flu outbreaks in Vietnam and due to concerns about a pandemic breaking out in the nation. The Vietnamese claim they wanted to be able to make their own Tamiflu so that they will be able to administer a generic type of Tamiflu if stocks of the Roche made Tamiflu run out.

The rapid production of Tamiflu has been hampered by the fact that the main ingredient has to be extracted from the star fruit of a tree found only in China and Vietnam, that are incidentally two of the hardest hit nations at present. Star Anise is used in tradition Chinese Vietnamese dishes such as pho noodle soup. The demand has also been huge with many countries wanting to make big stockpiles of the drug for future use and individuals buying more than they need for hoarding.

From the end of 2003, nearly one hundred Vietnamese people caught  the H5N1 virus and more than forty of them succumbed to it. Tamiflu is no outright cure but it can help boost the defences and fight the symptoms of the person who uses it.

Roche the Swiss company that make Tamiflu are increasing the production of Tamiflu by working with other drug companies in as many as 9 countries. Roche is giving out licences for the manufacturing and production of Tamiflu.

Vietnam has been the worst hit country from a bird flu perspective and Roche will be suppling the country with 25 million doses of Tamiflu in 2006.