* WHO says Tamiflu shelf-life decision up to countries
* EU has recommended two-year extension (Corrects 2nd para to read to 7 years from 5)
GENEVA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation
said on Tuesday it is up to national regulatory authorities to
decide whether to extend the shelf life of the flu drug Tamiflu
by two years, as recommended by Swiss drug maker Roche
The European Medicines Agency has extended the shelf life of Tamiflu capsules to 7 years from 5, a decision also adopted by Switzerland last month, after Roche presented new data showing that the antiviral remained stable.
"It is WHO's view that shelf-life extensions are a matter for national regulatory authorities," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said in a statement sent to journalists in Geneva.
Tamiflu, known generically as oseltamivir, is the frontline drug being used against the new H1N1 virus which is causing an influenza pandemic. Capsules currently on the market have a five-year expiry date. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Jonathan Lynn)