In March, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a large global trial called Solidarity to collect data on several existing medications and find out whether any can treat Covid-19. It, however, does not include the Japanese drug favipiravir (trade name Avigan), which Kenya has ordered to treat local patients. Avigan is separately undergoing a Phase III trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy for Covid-19 patients, according to the manufacturer, Fujifilm Toyama Chemical Co. Ltd. The WHO says in the Solidarity study, they are testing only about four drugs, but others can be added. The largest study of a treatment for Covid-19 so far with the combination, in January in China, didn’t find a benefit.

Source: The Star April 11, 2020 02:13 UTC