By Betheena Unite
Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the clinical trial of Avigan could start by the second or third week of July in partnership with the Japanese government.
The drug favipiravir, better known as Avigan, is being trialed as a treatment for coronavirus (AFP/File / Kazuhiro NOGI / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We are just waiting for the ethics committee clearance for this Avigan trial protocol and we would go to the regulatory clearance of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration),” she said.
The health department earlier identified Sta. Ana Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center as the venue for the Avigan trial.
At least 100 COVID-19 patients are being eyed for the trials of the Japanese antiviral, the DOH also said.
Vergeire also disclosed that currently, a total of 330 patients have already been enrolled to participate in the ongoing solidarity trial of the World Health Organization to find a cure for the dreaded coronavirus disease.
The 330 patients enrolled in the program came from the 21 of the 26 participating hospitals.
It can be recalled that the Philippines was given a total of 500 slots by the WHO in the solidarity trial.
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