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Japan Begins Delivery of Avigan

TOKYO – The Japanese government began Thursday delivering antiviral drug Avigan to Estonia through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Avigan, also known as favipiravir, is seen as a potential new coronavirus treatment after researchers in China suggested that it had shown promising results in treating COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms.

“For 43 countries, we have completed coordination. In the next several days, we will arrange for the delivery,” Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a press conference on Friday.

Each recipient country will receive free doses for 20 to 100 patients for clinical trials. In return, they will be asked to provide data to Japan to expedite research on the drug.

Aside from Estonia, the other countries that will receive Avigan include the Philippines, Malaysia and Belgium among others. - Florenda Corpuz

(Photograph courtesy of ©FUJIFILM Corporation)