Avigan drug (Photo: Reuters) Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippine started its 90-day clinical trials forAvigan, Japan’s anti-flu drug, on August 17 to study the efficacy of the drugagainst COVID-19.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the clinical trials willinclude just four hospitals in Metro Manila initially but more will be includedin the future.
Avigan is the brand name of favipiravir, an antiviral drug manufactured by asubsidiary of Japanese firm Fujifilm Holdings Corp., which is seen as apotential treatment for COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the coronavirusSARS-CoV-2.
The first set of patients will be given the existing supportive care providedat the hospitals. The second group will receive the same on top of beingadministered with the drug.
Fujifilm Holdings said last week that it expects to complete clinical tests inJapan of Avigan in September and seek approval.
In the Philippines, 164,474 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded as of August17, including 2,681 deaths./.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the clinical trials willinclude just four hospitals in Metro Manila initially but more will be includedin the future.
Avigan is the brand name of favipiravir, an antiviral drug manufactured by asubsidiary of Japanese firm Fujifilm Holdings Corp., which is seen as apotential treatment for COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the coronavirusSARS-CoV-2.
The first set of patients will be given the existing supportive care providedat the hospitals. The second group will receive the same on top of beingadministered with the drug.
Fujifilm Holdings said last week that it expects to complete clinical tests inJapan of Avigan in September and seek approval.
In the Philippines, 164,474 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded as of August17, including 2,681 deaths./.
VNA
