The Ministry of Health approved testing of a Japanese anti-flu drug on patients with coronavirus

The Russian Ministry of Health has authorized clinical trials of the Japanese drug favipiravir on patients with COVID-19. TASS reports this with reference to the department's press service.

The press service noted that studies of the drug will be carried out in 17 medical institutions in various regions of Russia. They added that favipiravir is an antiviral drug that is used against influenza. “According to Chinese scientists, the drug has shown effectiveness in treating patients with COVID-19,” the press service of the Ministry of Health emphasized.

In early April, TASS, citing the Nikkei newspaper, wrote that Japan wants to triple the supply of the drug favipiravir and approve the medicine as a treatment for people with COVID-19 by the end of summer. It is noted that favipiravir has side effects, in particular, its use during pregnancy increases the risk of abnormalities in the child. The newspaper writes that the drug was previously effectively used to combat Ebola fever.

As of April 28, 93,558 cases of coronavirus were registered in Russia in 85 regions. 867 people died, 8456 were cured. The country has overtaken China and Iran in terms of the number of cases and reached eighth place in the world.

On April 6, comparative clinical studies of three drugs that will be used to treat patients with coronavirus began in Russia. In particular, studies have begun on the drugs Mefloquine and Hydroxychloroquine in comparison with the Russian drug Kalidavir.