Five COVID-19 patients completed Avigan clinical trials —DOH

Five COVID-19 patients have completed the clinical trials of Japanese anti-flu drug Avigan, the Department of Heath (DOH) said Monday.

Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said the five were among the 16 who have been enlisted for the trials so far.

“Of the 16, nine are active, five have completed it, while two others have withdrawn,” Vergeire said in an online forum. She did not give a reason as to why the two others had to withdraw their participation.

Hospitals participating in the Avigan trials include the Philippine General Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Hospital, and Sta. Ana Hospital.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang pagre-recruit natin ng pasyente,” Vergeire said.

Last month, Vergeire announced that the protocols for Avigan trials have been eased to increase patient recruitment.

The revised protocol mainly allowed non-severe COVID-19 patients, with or without pneumonia and not on oxygen support, to participate in the Avigan clinical trials.

Under government protocol, mild COVID-19 cases need not be admitted to hospitals but in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities — a policy that runs counter to the previous Avigan clinical trial protocol that requires administration of the anti-flu drug in a hospital setting.

The Philippines has recorded 449,400 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 418,687 recovered while 8,733 died.

The number of active COVID-19 cases is 21,980. —KBK, GMA News