Clinical Trials for Avigan eyed to begin this week.
The clinical trials for anti-flu medicine Avigan, a medicine being studied as a possible treatment for COVID-19, may start this week.
This, as Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the virtual briefing that the clinical trial agreement had been signed by the Department of Health (DOH) through Secretary Francisco Duque III and also signed by the UP Manila chancellor.
The unsigned clinical trial agreement was among the cause of delays of the clinical trials, which was initially scheduled for August.
Among the hospitals participating in the clinical trials was the Philippine General Hospital, which was under the University of the Philippines Manila.
The other hospitals were Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Sta. Ana Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
“Ito na lang pong ating konting i-aayos lang, yung database na inaayos natin for our information system ng electronic data capture form. Kailangan i-ayos. And hopefully, ngayong linggo, mag-uumpisa tayo. We will give it permission“, Vergeire said.
Vergeire also said that they already met with the proponent or head research of the clinical trials last Friday, and reiterated that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) has already been signed.
READ ALSO: Clinical Trials Of Avigan In PH To Start On August 10, Says DOH
It was last August when the Japanese government gave Avigan tablets for its clinical trial to the Philippines.
While Avigan was initially made to treat flu, studies abroad showed that it might be effective against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
READ ALSO: Clinical Trials For Avigan To Be Held In Selected Hospitals In Metro Manila
Meanwhile, the Department of Health recorded 322,497 total coronavirus cases as of 4:00 p.m. Sunday wherein 43,642 were recorded as total active cases, 273,079 were recorded as total recoveries, and 5,776 were recorded as total deaths.
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