On Oct. 27, 1999, Hoffmann-La Roche and Gilead Sciences announced that Roche’s TAMIFLU (oseltamivir phosphate) had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of influenza A&B, which includes all common strains of influenza.

TAMIFLU, the first neuraminidase inhibitor in pill form, was available nationwide in time for the arrival of the year’s flu season.