EU positive on Roche's Tamiflu in children's dose

ZURICH, July 23 (Reuters) - The European Union has given a positive opinion on Roche Holding AG's (ROG.VX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) flu drug Tamiflu in small capsules, the Swiss drugmaker said on Monday, a step normally followed by marketing approval.

The EU's Committee of Human Medicinal Products had recommended marketing authorisation for Tamiflu in capsules of 30 mg and 45 mg doses, largely for use by children.

Roche said it had recently received approval for Tamiflu -- which countries across the world have stockpiled to fight a possible bird flu pandemic -- in lower doses in the United States.

The smaller capsules could also be used by the elderly or by adults having difficulty swallowing big capsules.

Recommendations for marketing approval by the committee are normally endorsed by the European Commission with a few months.

((Reporting by Douwe Miedema

Editing by David Holmes

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