Country’s two pharma giants are set to produce Japan’s medicinal drug favipiravir, successfully tested in China to treat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Chinese medical authorities said the drug was tested effectively in treating the new strains of influenza following human trial, earlier in the mid-March,.

BEXIMCO Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Beacon Pharmaceuticals Limited have been readied to create the favipiravir drug, also known as Avigan, by following the Japanese formula.

Fujifilm’s sister concern Toyama Chemical of Japan developed the drug to treat influenza-related disease in 2014.

Japan has not yet approved the medicine  as they are still examining the effects of the drug.

“We’ve made favipiravir and sent it to Bangladesh’s drug administration for test. If it is effective, commercial production is possible” Beacon’s managing director said

“The Japan’s Fuji produced the medicine to treat Ebola virus. China got positive results after using the medicine. We have brought active pharmaceutical ingredients from China,” he added.

Bangladesh doesn’t require permission for property rights  as the country is still enjoying developing country status.

The British daily, The Guardian, said Earlier on 18 March, quoting China’s science and technology ministry official Zhang Xinmin, ‘favipiravir had produced encouraging outcomes in clinical trials in Wuhan and Shenzhen involving 340 patients.’

“It has a high degree of safety and is clearly effective in treatment Corona,” Zhang was also quoted to have said.

Earlier on first week April, South China Morning Post reports the ‘Japan’s neighbours– China and South Korea – fell divided over use of the anti-flu drug ‘Avigan’.  ‘China welcoming the trial use while South Korea has declined saying it had serious side effects.’

South Korean authorities rather choose Remdesivir, a medicine produced by a company of the United States.

BEXIMCO chief director Rabbur Reza told to Business Mirror Ivermectin, used to treat parasite infestations, can be most useful. “Ivrmectin is affordable and common.”

Ziska Pharmaceuticals Ltd another Bangladesh company is also planning to produce Ivrmectin. Its managing director Aminul Islam Khan told, “If necessary, we’ll produce the medicines.”