Japan to provide Moldova with anti-influenza drug as part of international effort to combat COVID-19

Chisinau, 8 April /MOLDPRES/- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration welcomes the statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi, dated 7 April, announcing the decision of the Japanese authorities to respond to the call for assistance from a number of states affected by the new coronavirus, including Moldova, the MAEIE’s press service has reported.

Thus, Japan will provide free anti-influenza drug Avigan (Favipiravir), under testing, to help strengthen international efforts to conduct clinical trials of drugs used to treat COVID-19. Countries receiving the drug include: Republic of Moldova, Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran and Myanmar Union.

For prompt implementation of the initiative, Japan will provide an urgent grant of 1 million dollars to the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to buy and distribute the drug produced by a Japanese pharmaceutical company.

The action is included in the joint efforts of the Moldovan diplomacy to help strengthen the health system of Moldova and providing it with medicines, medical devices and supplies needed to combat COVID-19. The final beneficiary of the batch of drugs is the Hospital of Infectious Diseases Toma Ciorbă in Chisinau.