Japanese government transfers Avigan to Estonian Embassy in Tokyo. The drug will arrive in Estonia next week, writes Delfi. ee.

“The fact that Estonia will receive Avigan medication is a very good example of international cooperation in a crisis. I talked with my Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi on Thursday and thanked him, ”said Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu.

According to him, Estonia will take part in studies on the possibility of using Avigan to treat Covid-19.

Earlier this week, Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo said his government intends to approve the use of the Avigan influenza drug for treating patients with coronavirus during this month..

Abe announced this at a press conference discussing government decisions to extend the state of emergency in connection with the coronavirus pandemic until May 31.

Clinical trials are underway to determine if Avigan can help patients with Covid-19, a respiratory disease caused by coronavirus.. Avigan, developed by Japanese pharmaceutical firm Fujifilm Toyama Chemicals as an anti-flu medicine. Following the outbreak of a pandemic, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs studied the possibilities of obtaining Avigan to participate in research and potential use in the treatment of Covid-19. The drug is expected to be suitable for patients with mild symptoms of coronavirus.. However, it is contraindicated in pregnant women because of the risk of developing defects in the fetus, writes nippon. com.

More than 80 countries sent requests for Avigan for testing and experimental use for treatment with Covid-19. Japan provides medicine for human research for free as part of international cooperation. “Estonia is obliged in response to share the results of clinical trials with Japan,” the country's Foreign Ministry notes..