The go-ahead of the Avigan trial was given by the Italian Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza.

After the meeting of the Technical-scientific Committee on March 24, and after an initial analysis of the available data relating to Avigan, Italy will be “developing an experimentation and research program to evaluate the impact of the drug in the early stages of the disease”.

Speranza said expectations for fighting the new Coronavirus are now pinned on the Japanese drug.

Councilor for the Budget Davide Caparini added: “It has been an over-the-counter drug that since 2014, in Japan, has been used to fight the flu and has given positive results, but it is still necessary to understand how much this drug can to be effective. We thank Minister Speranza who accepted our heartfelt appeal. The trial will start immediately in Lombardy.”

Produced by Toyama Chemical, a Fujifilm controlled company, favipiravir – a generic drug – has been administered to Covid-19 patients in China.

freewestmedia.com/2020/03/24/italy-green-lights-japanese-avigan-drug-trial-to-fight-pandemic/