Japanese Government Grants Special Approval for Remdesivir as COVID-19 Treatment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Japanese government approved 'Remdesivir,' developed by the American pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences and noted as a treatment for COVID-19, on the 7th.

According to Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare granted special approval on the same day to manufacture and sell Remdesivir as a treatment for COVID-19.

This is the first time the Japanese government has approved a treatment for COVID-19.

Since the supply of Remdesivir in Japan may not be sufficient, the Japanese government will manage the distribution of the drug for the time being.

Remdesivir was originally developed as an injectable drug to treat Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Earlier, on the 1st local time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use of Remdesivir for severely hospitalized patients.

Gilead Sciences Japan applied for approval of Remdesivir to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on the 4th, and the Japanese government unusually approved it quickly within three days.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.