We all expected the bird flu virus to reach us from Russia, now the question is how to prepare.

Stockpiling antiviral drugs, like Roche's Tamiflu, is essential, and the countries ... which have ignored this have made a mistake.

But now Roche must license the patent for Tamiflu to other companies, so that we may have enough doses to face a (human) pandemic, if it should ever come.

Roche should be compensated for its patent, but global health is more important than missed revenue.

The planet is so small that the virus crosses it quickly, the economy is one, so we need to hold on dearly to our shabby multilateral organizations and forget corporate egoism.

With foresight, generosity, rationality, a bit of luck and a lot of modesty we will overcome the tragedy of a pandemic, if it should ever happen. Indifference, greed and panic will take us straight into the chicken's jaws.