Swine Flu: Stock Market Bonanza For Biotech, Pharmaceutical Stocks

There is one sector of the economy on a boom since the outbreak of the Swine Flu "pandemic," and that is the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

In a published report in Global Research, it appears that there are two anti-viral drugs used to treat swine flu, and other flu related cases. Those drugs are Tamiflu and Relenza.

Tamiflu is manufactured by the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Hoffman-La Roche under a contract with US based biotech company Gilead Sciences, Inc. Gilead Sciences holds the intellectual property rights and patent for the drug.

As announced by Janet NapolitanoJanet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, the U.S. stockpiles of the drug have been released to the States of California, New York Texas and Kansas. The stockpiles were provided to the federal government by the U.N. which it received through donations by the drug manufacturer.

It goes without saying that many members of Congress and those on the Hill are heavily invested in the pharmaceutical industry, either directly or indirectly. There are already dire warnings regarding next flu season and this particular strain, although there are still as yet less than 200 confirmed cases throughout the world, and far fewer deaths. Donald RumsfeldDonald Rumsfeld apparently was or is a major shareholder of Glead, and formerly sat on its Board.

You can view a copy of Global Research's article at:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=13392