Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) has started the clinical trial of Japan’s Favipiravir drug to assess its safety and efficacy in treating Covid-19 patients.

The trial will be conducted by a team led by Dr Shailendra Nath Biswas, a junior medicine consultant of KMCH.

Former principal of KMCH Dr SK Ballabh, associate professor Dr Sheikh Farid Uddin Ahmed, indoor medical officer of the Department of Medicine Dr Tahmida Khanam, Dr Mainul Haque, Dr Rishan and Dr Abhijit will guide and assist Dr Shailendra Nath in conducting the study, UNB reported.

Dr Shailendra said the study will be conducted on 100 Covid-19 patients undergoing treatment at the isolation wards of KMCH and Corona-dedicated hospitals. The study will continue until September.

The effectiveness of this medicine will be determined based on the data to be obtained from the study, said Dr Shailendra.

Favipiravir, sold under the brand names Avigan, Abigan and FabiFlu, Haifukang, is an antiviral medication used to treat influenza in Japan. It is being used by some countries to treat Covid-19 patients.

Bangladesh Society of Medicine in a clinical study in Dhaka has found its effectiveness in expediting the recovery of coronavirus patients.