Avigan – is this drug a Solution for COVID-19 ?

Bringing down the “AVIGAN” drug to Sri Lanka is a hot topic on social media and News media in Sri Lanka.  

Mr Chandana Weerasena  worked tirelessly to arrange the shipment to Sri Lanka from Japan and it was a donation from Japan & China.

Folowing is an information received from Mr. Chandana Weerasena, the Deputy Chief of Mission at Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo in relation to the  AVIGAN  as many people thought it is the solution for COVID – 19.  

"It has been noted that a large number of people are excited and enthusiastic about sending the drug “Avigan” to Sri Lanka from Japan as a treatment for COVID-19 infected patients in Sri Lanka" Mr. Weerasena said.

"There are things we must understand carefully" he added

"Avigan" is not the only solution for COVID-19. “Avigan” is an approved drug in Japan to treat new or reemerging strains of influenza virus infections in cases where other anti-flu drugs are ineffective or insufficiently effective. It has been tested on COVID-19 infected patients and have reported some positive results. Therefore, there has been an emerging interest and demand from number of countries.

However, this is still in the research stage and has not yet been decided to use for COVID-19. Therefore, it should not be assumed that sending this drug will end the COVID-19 epidemic in Sri Lanka and thereby we should not take this lightly.

We believe that scientists will be able to manage this drug only to selected patients who need it. Authentic data and information in this regard is being provided. Establishing a direct link (without intermediaries) between Sri Lanka State Pharmaceutical Corporation and Fujifilms Japan is a significant achievement. This is economical and easy to share authentic information.

Due to these reasons, we must realize that it is too early to celebrate and exaggerate about it. We also must not underestimate the danger of COVID-19.

Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) Dr. Prasanna Gunasena also said that a stock of 5,000 ‘AVIGAN’ tablets would be handed over to the SPC as a gift from Japan and China to be given to COVID-19 patients on a trial basis.   

“No one must take ‘AVIGAN’ as an absolute drug for the recovery of the COVID-19 viral infection. It is up to the physician to decide whether to prescribe the drug for the infected patient. Besides, this drug is used worldwide for Ebola viral infection. However, the tablet can be prescribed as a substitute drug for COVID-19,” Dr. Gunasena added.