COVID-19 favipiravir treatment production opens up in Thailand

Generics/General | Posted 04/06/2021 post-comment0 Post your comment

In Thailand, the patent application for favipiravir, a drug widely used to treat COVID-19, has been rejected. This now allows local generics production of the antiviral medication and human trials of a Thai-made version of the drug are underway.

26 AA011066

On 5 May 2021, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) Director-General Vuttikrai Leewiraphan announced the rejection of Fujifilm Holdings Corp’s patent application after finding it presented no new innovation. If Fujifilm fails to appeal against the decision within 60 days, the production of favipiravir will be open for generic drug producers in Thailand.

Following this, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) announced the trials of a Thai-made version of the drug. The findings of this are scheduled to be submitted to the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) in June or July 2021. In addition, the GPO is collaborating with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and PTT Co Ltd to expand production of raw materials for favipiravir and other essential pharmaceuticals to an industrial scale.

Favipiravir is sold under the brand name Avigan and was developed in Japan and is now available in countries across the globe for use in the fight against COVID-19. It is used to treat serious symptoms, such as pneumonia. In India, Sun Pharma have already launched a generic version of favipiravir under the name FluGuard [1].

Related articles
Merck partners with Indian drugmakers to increase access to OVID-19 drug

Efficacy and safety of interferon beta-1a (ReciGen) in COVID-19

LATIN AMERICAN FORUM – Coming soon!

To further enhance the objectives of GaBI in sharing information and knowledge that ensure policies supportive of safe biosimilars use, we are pleased to announce that we will be launching a new section on GaBI Online and GaBI Journal, the ‘Latin American Forum’ (in Spanish) featuring the latest news and updates on research and developments in generic and biosimilar medicines in Latin America.

Register to receive the GaBI Latin American Forum newsletter. Inform colleagues and friends of this new initiative.

 

LATIN AMERICAN FORUM – Próximamente!

Para fomentar los objetivos de GaBI sobre la difusión de información y conocimiento sobre las políticas de apoyo que garantizan el uso seguro de medicamentos biosimilares, nos complace anunciar el lanzamiento de una nueva sección en GaBI Online y GaBI Journal, el ‘Latin American Forum’ (en español), que presentará las últimas noticias y actualizaciones en investigación y desarrollo sobre medicamentos genéricos y biosimilares en Latinoamérica.

Regístrese para recibir el boletín informativo GaBI Latin American Forum. Informe a colegas y amigos sobre esta nueva iniciativa. 

Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Sun Pharma launches Ilumya in Japan and favipiravir in India [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Jun 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Generics/News/Sun-Pharma-launches-Ilumya-in-Japan-and-favipiravir-in-India

Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.

Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2021 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.

comment icon Comments (0)
Post your comment
Related content
Generic drug growth in Brazil and Venezuela
53 MD002445
Generics/General Posted 15/09/2023
Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Brazil
91 AA007225
Generics/General Posted 26/08/2022
Most viewed articles
About GaBI
Home/About GaBI Posted 06/08/2009
EU guidelines for biosimilars
EMA logo 1 V13C15
Home/Guidelines Posted 08/10/2010