"We will continue the clinical study and clinical tests (of the drug) in June and onwards. There is no change in our policy to approve the drug swiftly if its efficacy (against the coronavirus) is confirmed," Kato told a press conference.
There is a belief that Avigan, also known as favipiravir and developed by
Prime Minister
Kato said the government initially aimed to approve the drug if the interim results of clinical tests conducted by a team led by
But a third-party panel that assessed the results of the interim report said that it was too early to judge it scientifically, according to Kato.
The drug is feared to cause birth defects and cannot be administered to expectant mothers.
==Kyodo
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