Government Says Low Necessity to Purchase COVID-19 Oral Antiviral 'Jokoba'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The government announced on the 28th that the necessity of purchasing the oral COVID-19 treatment drug 'Jokoba' is low.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) explained that after three rounds of discussions with related ministries, the Infectious Disease Physicians Network, and the Infectious Disease Management Committee regarding the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's emergency use authorization request and domestic introduction of the new oral COVID-19 treatment drug Jokoba, this decision was made.

Jokoba received emergency approval in Japan on the 22nd of last month, and it has been confirmed that the United States and the EU are currently reviewing emergency use authorization.

Clinical trial results for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients aged 12 and over, including high-risk groups, showed that in the treatment group, five symptoms?nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, fever, and fatigue?were shortened by one day from about 8 days to 7 days. Additionally, after three doses, viral shedding was significantly reduced by the fourth day.

The CDCH stated, "We will continuously monitor emergency use authorizations overseas, subsequent clinical results, purchase, and utilization status."

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