"RDIF and the ChemRar group of companies announce that they received permission for the outpatient use of the first Russian drug against coronavirus, Avifavir, which will be provided to patients free of charge. The drug is already provided free of charge under the compulsory medical insurance program to patients undergoing treatment for coronavirus in healthcare facilities," the RDIF said.
In late May, Avifavir received a registration certificate from the Russian Health Ministry, becoming the world's first favipiravir-based drug approved for the treatment of COVID-19.
In order to meet the demand for the medication, the RDIF and ChemRar will double production capacity to 200,000 packs per month. Moreover, Amifavir has already been exported to 15 countries around the world.
RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev has said that the outpatient use of Avifavir will help reduce the burden on health facilities amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the results of post-registration clinical trials, those patients who were taking Avifavir recovered more quickly from coronavirus symptoms, as in 30% of cases the virus was eliminated at an early stage, while the level of oxygen saturation in the patient’s blood was also restored to normal two times more quickly than when traditional therapy was applied. No adverse effects from the drug’s use have been reported.