Researchers at the Pharmacology Faculty of Shahid Beheshti University have for the first time synthesized Favipiravir drug in Iran, Ali Akbar Velayati, president of Tehran's Masih Daneshvari hospital announced Sunday.
Velayati, who is also an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was speaking at a press conference after recovering from coronavirus.
The senior physician said the Iranian-made Avigan drug has been given to Masih Daneshvari hospital and used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in compliance with the medical ethics and at the discretion of the medical ethics committee of the hospital.
He also noted that Masih Daneshvari hospital is treating the coronavirus patients free of charge.
Avigan is an anti-flu drug invented by Japan’s Fujifilm Holding Corporation. The drug was approved for use in Japan in 2014. Avigan is being tested in China as a treatment for COVID-19.
Local media reported on Sunday that Japan was hoping to triple the production of the drug from current levels, which is enough to treat 700,000 people if used by coronavirus patients.