Avigan – favipiravir is the generic name – a drug approved as an anti-influenza drug in Japan and developed by drug maker Toyama Chemical Co, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Co. Photo: Reuters Avigan – favipiravir is the generic name – a drug approved as an anti-influenza drug in Japan and developed by drug maker Toyama Chemical Co, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Co. Photo: Reuters
Avigan – favipiravir is the generic name – a drug approved as an anti-influenza drug in Japan and developed by drug maker Toyama Chemical Co, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Co. Photo: Reuters

Coronavirus pandemic

China /  Science

China and South Korea split over Japanese anti-flu drug Avigan in fight against coronavirus

  • Favipiravir emerges as a potential drug to treat Covid-19 patients but worries over risks to fetus remain
  • Shinzo Abe has promoted the drug to Donald Trump but FDA ‘concerned’

Topic |   Coronavirus pandemic
Lee Jeong-ho
Lee Jeong-ho

Updated: 11:04pm, 5 Apr, 2020

Why you can trust SCMP
Avigan – favipiravir is the generic name – a drug approved as an anti-influenza drug in Japan and developed by drug maker Toyama Chemical Co, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Co. Photo: Reuters Avigan – favipiravir is the generic name – a drug approved as an anti-influenza drug in Japan and developed by drug maker Toyama Chemical Co, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Co. Photo: Reuters
Avigan – favipiravir is the generic name – a drug approved as an anti-influenza drug in Japan and developed by drug maker Toyama Chemical Co, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings Co. Photo: Reuters
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