Rumsfeld's growing stake in Tamiflu

[Christa]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/31/news/newsmakers/fortune_rumsfeld/index.htm

NEW YORK (Fortune) - The prospect of a bird flu outbreak may be panicking people around the globe, but it's proving to be very good news for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other politically connected investors in Gilead Sciences, the California biotech company that owns the rights to Tamiflu, the influenza remedy that's now the most-sought after drug in the world.

Rumsfeld served as Gilead (Research)'s chairman from 1997 until he joined the Bush administration in 2001, and he still holds a Gilead stake valued at between $5 million and $25 million, according to federal financial disclosures filed by Rumsfeld.

The forms don't reveal the exact number of shares Rumsfeld owns, but in the past six months fears of a pandemic and the ensuing scramble for Tamiflu have sent Gilead's stock from $35 to $47. That's made the Pentagon chief, already one of the wealthiest members of the Bush cabinet, at least $1 million richer.

[KoKo]

1. Crooks and Criminals all.... n't

[Horse with no Name]

2. Let's not forget how evil this is

That Tamiflu refuses to lift the patent so that it can be mass produced.
You would think that his dual role of former chairman of Gilead and his role as Secretary of Defense--he would intervene in the negotiation process.
I guess the dollar does trump all--even public health.

[madrchsod]

3. does tamiflu work on the bird virus?

[progressivebydesign]

4. it is a drug to reduce flu symptoms.

It doesn't prevent or cure the flu.

[AllegroRondo]

5. Correct - its the only medicine proven to work against it

[progressivebydesign]

6. and people wonder why some DUers are skeptical on the bird flu.

Obviously, it's a grave scenario that is being confirmed by others outside the govt. BUT.. you can't blame some folks who have posted here that they worry it's beeing pushed for reasons other than our nation's health.