PH govt. coordinates with Japan for Avigan clinical trial

The Philippine government under the Duterte administration is in close contact with its counterparts from Japan for the planned clinical trials of the Avigan drug for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the country.

Avigan, a Japanese anti-influenza drug otherwise known as Faviravir, has been touted as a promising treatment for Covid-19.

"Nagkaroon po tayo ng kasunduan sa government of Japan kung saan mayroon po tayong pagkakasunduan, kung magiging clear po ang ating arrangement, ito pong isang gamot ay Avigan pero nasa initial stages of coordination pa lang tayo (We had an agreement with the government of Japan, once the arrangement has been clear, the medicine would be Avigan. At present we are in the initial stages of coordination)," DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(photo credit to owner)

Aside from this medicine, Vergeire said the Philippines is exploring other ways to manage Covid-19 cases.

"Sa UP (PGH), nag-umpisa na po sila ng kanilang convalescent plasma therapy na clinical trial, naumpisan na sa ibang pasyente at mayroon na silang nire-report na maganda pero hindi pa po 'yan enough evidence na kumpleto para masabi na ito talaga ay epektibo (At UP, they already started their convalescent plasma therapy on clinical trial, they've been reporting good results but that is not enough evidence to say this is really effective)," she said.

The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) is the only hospital in the country with approved protocol to conduct such procedure, said Usec. Vergeire.

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Report from PNA

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