Avigan trials in the Philippines to start August 10 —DOH

August 8 ------ Clinical trials in the Philippines of the Japanese anti-viral flu drug Avigan will start on August 10, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Friday, as the search for possible COVID-19 treatment continues. In an interview on Unang Hirit, Vergeire said all is set for the trial to begin, after the Philippines received around 199,000 Avigan tablets from Japan for the trials.

"We have identified site na hospital kung saan gagamitin ito. We will already start on August 10 for this Avigan trial so abangan na lang po natin, nandito na naman po 'yung mga gamot," she said. Vergeire said Avigan does not need the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as it has already been approved by Japanese health authorities. "Avigan has been approved by FDA for long kasi ginagamit na ho talaga iyan sa flu, so 'yan naman ay meron na. Hindi po ng FDA natin but FDA ng Japan," she said.

"Kaya pagpasok dito wala na ho tayo masyadong regulatory processes na mangyayari because it's been approved [already]." According to a statement from the Japanese Embassy in Manila, Avigan tablets will be tested on 100 patients in the Philippines and that the donation of the drug is part of its emergency grant aid to countries severely affected by COVID-19. Each recipient government, it said, "has acknowledged Avigan's proper usage and prescription in view of its known adverse side effects."

Source: gmanetwork.com