Japan To Send Avigan To Philippines For Free
JAPAN – Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Japan will provide an anti-flu drug Avigan to the Philippines for free.
The government officials in the Phillippines are doing what it can to contain the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said he will give P10 million to a Filipino who can discover a vaccine.
Scientists and researchers all around the world are racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine. The deadly virus from Wuhan City, China is currently killing thousands of people a day.
Japan’s Avigan also known as Favipiravir is among the anti-flu drug that’s being tested worldwide as a treatment for coronavirus disease. Japan immediately conduct clinical studies into their drug after a Chinese scientist said it improved the condition of a COVID-19 patient.
In a previous article, Department of Health (DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said the government might consider bringing Avigan to the country. It was made by the Fujifilm subsidiary.
Based on a report from TNT Abante, Japan included the Philippine for the clincal study of Avigan. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, said the country is among the 43 countries that will receive the drug for free. The anti-flu drug is expected to arrive in the country this coming Wednesday, May 5.
According to the report, 80 countires showed interest on Japan’s drug against COVID-19. Bangladesh, Laos, Qatar at Dominican Republic are among the recepients of Avigan.
Japan will send enough anti-flu drug to treat between 20 and 100 people. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that is for research purposes only.
“We will cooperate with the private sector as well as the international community to develop a treatment,” the Foreign Minister said.
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