This photo illustration taken on October 22, 2014, shows the flu-treatment drug Avigan, produced by Japan’s Fujifilm, on display in Tokyo. – Japan’s Fujifilm said on April 1, 2020, it has begun clinical trials to test the effectiveness of its anti-flu drug Avigan in treating patients with the new COVID-19 coronavirus, after reports of promising results in China. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP FILE)
MANILA, Philippines — Clinical trials in the country for Japan’s antiviral drug Avigan will run for nine months to determine whether it can be used as a COVID-19 treatment.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said four hospitals have so far been identified as sites for the clinical trials. These are Philippine General Hospital, Sta. Ana Hospital, Dr. Jose M. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
“Medicines are provided already, they have provided us with doses for 100 patients. This project will run for nine months,” Vergeire told reporters in an online media forum.
Avigan, which is used to treat influenza in Japan, will be administered to 100 COVID-19 patients during the clinical trial period.
The trial, according to Vergeire, started on Monday, August 10.
READ: Clinical trials in PH for Japan’s antiviral drug to start on August 10 – DOH
Earlier, the government set aside at least P18 million for the Avigan trials.
Avigan reportedly yielded positive results in treating COVID-19 patients in China, especially those with mild symptoms.