EVA Pharma starts export of COVID-19 Antiviral Avipiravir® Worldwide
Cairo, September 17, 2020, EVA Pharma, one of the major international pharmaceutical companies headquartered in Cairo, started the process of export of the first shipment of Avipiravir® (favipiravir). Thus becoming the first In the Region and continent to manufacture generic favipiravir of the Japanese antiviral Avigan, which is used to treat severe influenza, respiratory viruses, and mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. The announcement comes a few months following EVA Pharma’s success in producing and delivering another COVID-19 treatment, Remdesivir-EVA Pharma®, to various countries on four continents. The Egyptian drug manufacturer adds it to its antiviral portfolio and acquires all approvals to commercialize it in its home market
“We are very happy to launch Avipiravir® in Egypt and other markets across the world as we approach the winter season with expected influenza cases. This is a medicine that was made for influenza and has shown positive results for COVID patients in countries around the world and is available at a very accessible price” said Dr. Riad Armanious, EVA Pharma Chief Executive Officer
“Avipiravir® is an oral antiviral drug, selectively inhibits viral replication inside the human cells and was initially authorized in Japan in 2014 as a flu treatment and it is now approved for emergency use by the Russian Ministry of Health as a potential treatment of COVID-19,” said Dr. Ashraf Hatem, former Minister of Health and Population and member of the High Committee for Respiratory Viruses at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The hope continues as Dr. Adel Khattab, professor of chest diseases at Ain Shams University and member of the High Committee for Respiratory Viruses at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research explains: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese health authorities provided the product in more than 40 countries to include in global clinical trials. Favipiravir yielded positive outcomes, alleviating fever after 3 days of treatment with a significantly rapid reduction of viral load at 4 days of treatment, encouraging many countries to add favipiravir to their COVID-19 treatment protocol as is the case for China and India”
With the continuous positive findings of Avipiravir® and EVA Pharma’s accredited facilities, by the European Union and other global health accreditations, the company has the ability to meet all demands of Avipiravir® in global markets
About EVA Pharma
EVA Pharma, one of the major multinational pharmaceutical companies headquartering in Cairo, Egypt while operating in more than 40 countries and one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies in the MENA region. The company has partnerships with some of the leading international pharmaceutical names the world over and has a presence in 41 countries throughout the region. With a 3,000-strong team of some of the region’s most competent pharmaceutical professionals, Eva Pharma produces an average of 350,000 packs of more than 165 different drugs daily. Its state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology and are internationally recognized for innovation and the highest international quality standards.