MANILA/TOKYO – The Philippine Health Department remains committed to joining the clinical trials of the Japanese antiviral drug Avigan amid doubts about its effectiveness in treating new coronavirus infections.

A total US$3 million have been mobilized to date through UNICEF, including donations by the Government of Japan, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the UN Foundations’ Solidarity Response Fund, and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

MANILA/TOKYO – Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Thursday agreed to enhance collaboration amid the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, and to foster with regional partners a unified approach to the post-COVID-19 “new normal.”

TOKYO – The Japanese media have reported on Wednesday that according to sources, Avigan was not effective in treating new coronavirus patients based on interim results of clinical trials.