AP photo
AP photo

DOH finalizing protocol for Avigan trial

THE Department of Health (DOH) is finalizing the protocol for the conduct of clinical trials using the anti-flu drug Avigan from Japan as treatment for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Avigan will be administered to 100 Covid-19 patients.

“Ngayon po, iyong ating trial for Avigan, inaayos na ho iyong protocol. Kumukuha na ho tayo ng mga clearances coming from different institutions dito po sa ating bansa,” Vergeire said in a Laging Handa briefing Wednesday, May 6.

“Patuloy po ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa Japan para po dito sa ating supply of this drug which is Avigan na ipapadala naman po nila, nakapagbigay na sila ng go signal para po dito. We are expecting this in the coming days,” she added.

According to Vergeire, the DOH has yet to select the subjects and the hospitals.

“Ang ating protocol po ay ginagawa pa lang, but what I can tell you is the Japanese government is providing us with supply of this drug for 100 patients,” Vergeire said.

“So pipili po tayo ng mga ospital na isasali natin dito sa trial na ito, at doon po sa mga ospital na iyon, magkakaroon po tayo ng protocol kung paano natin pipiliin naman ang mga pasyente. Ang importante po dito ay because this is a clinical trial, the informed/consent should be there,” she clarified.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the DOH has reported 10,004 cases of Covid-19, including 658 fatalities and 1,506 recoveries.

Vergeire also reported that 41 provinces have been consistently Covid-free in the last two weeks.

“It is 41 provinces for the past two weeks, wala pong naitatalang mga kaso ng COVID-19. Iyong iba po dito nawalan na ng kaso, iyong iba talagang from the start ay wala pang kaso. Para maging basehan kung tayo ay nagpa-flatten ng curve, ang atin pong ginagawang basehan ngayon ay ang ating case doubling time and iyong ating health system capacity,” Vergeire said. (SunStar Philippines)

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