DOH: PH to start COVID-19 clinical trials immediately, once Japan sends supply of Avigan
Posted at May 05 2020 05:47 PM
MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday said it will conduct clinical trials as soon as Japan supplies it with what has been described as a promising drug that could help COVID-19 patients.
“Nais nating magpasalamat sa bansang Japan sapagkat sila ay nag-express na sila’y handa tayong bigyan ng libreng suplay ng anti-flu drug na Avigan,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a televised briefing.
(We want to thank Japan because it is willing to send us free supply of the anti-flu drug Avigan.)
“Ang gamot na ito ay nagpapakita ng pag-asa sa panlaban natin sa COVID-19 at tayo ay agarang magkakaroon ng clinical trials upang masiguro na ang nasabing gamot ay epektibo at ligtas para sa mga Pilipino.”
(This drug shows hope that COVID-19 can be treated and so we will be holding clinical trials to ensure that it is effective and safe for Filipinos.)
Avigan is an anti-flu drug developed by Japan and is among the off-label drugs being tested against COVID-19.
However, Vergeire pointed out that clinical trials are being done because there is still not enough evidence that it is effective. Despite this, she said the Philippines will take the opportunity for the clinical trials.
She also reminded doctors and the public that studies have shown that Avigan may be unsafe for pregnant women.
Besides such plans to test Avigan, the Philippines has already signed up for the World Health Organizations’s Solidarity Trial, which tests four drug combinations that have also shown promise in smaller COVID-19 studies.
