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Abe touts Avigan as COVID-19 treatment despite experts urging caution

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No evidence it is effective.

14 ( +22 / -8 )

I will wait until some recognized experts are willing to put their reputation behind the recommendation. It is too easy for a politician to over-hype any preliminary results because their way of doing things is completely opposite to how a scientist needs to behave.

15 ( +18 / -3 )

"It is not like Avigan has shown exceptionally high effectiveness against the new coronavirus among the candidate drugs,"

So in other words, Abe is promoting this not because it is the best drug, but because it is made by a Japanese company that wants market share.

This is a serious issue, if the government spends huge amounts on procuring this drug and readying it for distribution before we know how effective it is, this will really hamstring the Japanese health system if it later turns out that other drugs are much more effective (which could well be the case).

This just screams cronyism, and is typical of Abe's response.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

What is it with certain right-wing "leaders" thinking they have the answers to Covid-19? Smacks of ego and political desperation.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

the only thing you need to know about this drug is that during the pandemic in south korea, their gov't refused to approve the use of avigen because of it's harmful side effects.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

By giving the impression the drug can be used by anyone, the Japanese government may bring confusion on the ground, Tamura said

Stooping to snake oil hawker level ala Trump.

I admire Germany having Angela Merkel with a PhD in quantum chemistry as leader.

More leaders with an understanding and appreciation of science are necessary to sort out the ever widening range of problems we're facing.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

It is too easy for a politician to over-hype any preliminary results

Is there any way to find out whether the PM or any other high level pols have shares in Fujifilm Toyama Chemical or other corporations that could profit from increased sales of this drug?

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Bravo Fujifilm ! I am so proud of Japan for this ! Right the side effects .. not so nice ...but perhaps for the older population (the vulnerable group may i add) doesn't really make much difference does it ? Live or Die is what it really comes down to for them.

Can't wait for the remdesivir results !

-20 ( +6 / -26 )

The medical trial so far shows promising results unlike the Trump's recommendation. The side affects of this medicine has also been studied and doctors are aware of them.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Who cares about the health of the general populace. It's all about making quick bucks for Abe. If the latent side effects do eventuate, no doubt there will be mass law suits against Fujifilm. But, judging by Abe's past actions, he probably isn't too concerned about that because he will always threaten countries and impose export restrictions.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Is there any way to find out whether the PM or any other high level pols have shares in Fujifilm Toyama Chemical or other corporations that could profit from increased sales of this drug?

That is just the simplest most obvious kind of conflict of interest. A politician can gain much more by promoting ANY kind of easy exit for a problem, even if it is just imaginary.

If a population is getting restless by a serious situation, the people in charge will tout whatever keeps everybody calm even if they gain not a cent from their sales.

Still, there is still the possibility that the drug actually works, which is what the government is betting on, but that is completely independent of what any politician have to say about it.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Abe continues to follow the Trump way (as I pointed out in another thread):

1) cash to distract

2) blame China

3) blame the rules/Constitution

and now

4) like Trump and hydroxychloriquine, call the scientifically unproven (and one that causes birth defects no less) Avigan drug a game changer.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

No evidence it is ineffective.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

Touting something as a probably cure without proper testing is irresponsible.

Donny is shameless, but Abe should show more sense.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

The Trump and Abe bromance continues.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

In the US "Hydroxy" Trump is peddling a drug that is making people ill while in Japan "Avigan" Abe is pushing his made-in-Japan patriotic panacea. Are they leaders or salesmen? Both are floundering in a crisis beyond their ability to control grasping at straws and desperately clutching fig leaves to hide their incompetence and distract the public from scrutinizing their irresponsibility for allowing the virus to run rampant. They should both stop talking up their fake leadership ability and making misleading claims and leave the science and medicine to the experts and doctors.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Definitely avoiding this drug:

A) Because Abe is playing follow 'my' leader with Trump, and

B) We know anything Abe recommends will make him and his connections to the product...money.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

It seems that those who want the negative results of Avigan rushed to make comments. 

Presently, the clinical trails have been implemented in Japan and U.S. The result in Japan will be reported in early July, I think.   

Up to now, we found some reports and personal experiences which showed good results, however, we have to wait the final results for 2 months.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

If you are sick, consult with your doctor.  If you are not satisfied with your doctor's recommendation, seek 2nd opinion from another medical doctor.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This will be a epic failure like this one.

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/health/2020/04/21/hydroxychloroquine-study-results-coronavirus-cohen-vpx.cnn

6 ( +8 / -2 )

like with the mask I’d like to know who the major shareholder are. Should it be renamed Abegain?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I admire Germany having Angela Merkel with a PhD in quantum chemistry as leader.

Even Merkel is not completely fluent English, she still speaks it well much better than Shinzo Abe. I do not know what Shinzo Abe did in his years at USC. His English is definitely not well unlike his wife.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Gilead has got a better drug in the pipeline, Remdesivir.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/04/22/gilead-sciences-races-to-manufacture-remdesivir-bu.aspx

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Good news for all the antiviral medicine sceptics too. High-flow nasal cannulas ! Aledgedly remarkable results both in Italy and US.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Trump; Act II.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Where have I seen this before... Abe seems to derive his inspiration from Fox News' talking heads and hydroxychloroquine.

.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Avigan pretty much failed all the in-vitro studies. Essentially snake oil for CoV.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

@blue in green results any day now . the mechanism is same same as avigan only without the side effects (this bit i think has been proven during the ebola tests) and there are also good results for severe cases too. I really hope it works.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

He is as arrogant as Trump!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

At the behest of the government, Fujifilm has begun increasing Avigan production, aiming to secure by September supply to treat up to 300,000 patients per month, approximately a sevenfold increase from March.

When they test so little and nothing to indicate it will be ramped up, 300,000 patients will require more than a million test per month which is impossible. Except there are plans to distribute it to all citizens just like the two mask. Well, Abenovigan might become a reality.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

While the effectiveness of any drug is still being tested, this drug has a much higher success rate than the one that causes malaria that has horrid side-effects that Trump keeps pushing. I just wish these countries would let the medical experts lead the fight.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

He must have had a phone call with Trump right before the announcement.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

PTownsend quote: "I admire Germany having Angela Merkel with a PhD in quantum chemistry as leader."

Yes, and Germany is one of the countries that has asked for a supply of Avigan. It will be supplied free, but they will be asked to keep records of their results with it.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Can Abe try any harder to be like Trump?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Two words...Herd Immunity...

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

Abe is only interested in making profits of this crisis.

If the drug can only be safely taken by people with mild symptoms, the same population that can't get any testing because of the strict criteria., how do they expect to administrate it to the people that might need it then?

More nonsense from Abe who lacking any originality is just using Trump's playbook. We see how it went in the US...

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@n1k1

Me too!

Gilead is a great company.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Although someone concerns only about Abe's comments, Mr. Honjo, a Immunologist and Nobel prize winner, also recommends the antivirus medicine including Avigan.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

this is good plan ,

Avigan can use in mild cases to get rid of virus in 4 days ,

so it is good to reduce spreading of virus and to prevent pneumonia , Covid19 19 induced .

Avigan can give to patients at hotels or home .

the side effects is birth defects , this can be avoid easily .

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Why not?

Those who are infected with COVID-19 will almost certainly not be thinking about reproduction for a long time.

They would rather want to be cured first in order to survive! To be alive foremost rather than plan of making da-kine offsprings!

Go for it PM Abe!

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

The caution by experts that was mentioned in the article was regarding the risk of birth defects which, as mentioned by n1k1, is pretty much immaterial to the most-at-risk group, the elderly. It could be of great help even if administered to the elderly only.

All indications says it's probably effective, which is why many countries have shown interest, and the govt ordered to ramp up production.

Clinical trials have yet to be completed but there's reason for optimism.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

With all due respect Abe-soridaijin, you know very little about medicine, perhaps a bit more than the current occupant of the White House, which means almost nothing.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Putting the cart before the horse, prescription without diagnosis.

Abe will pledge the impossible just to shore up his sagging stocks after getting found out.

50,000 ICU beds, 200,000 hotel rooms and 2million Avigan

The 52 year and 70 year guys in saitama who were told to stay at home because their cases were mild and ended up dying at home without having the chance to be administered Avigan.neko ni koban

3 ( +3 / -0 )

All these politicians becoming medical experts overnight...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

n1k1Today  04:38 pm JST

Bravo Fujifilm ! I am so proud of Japan for this ! Right the side effects .. not so nice ...but perhaps for the older population (the vulnerable group may i add) doesn't really make much difference does it ? Live or Die is what it really comes down to for them.

Can't wait for the remdesivir results !

I have great hope for Remdesivir, as a helpful drug in the treatment of COVID-19, however your attitude against older people needs much training/lessons/manners. I hope that you are not a medical researcher, physician, or pharmacologist as your nonchalant attitude and lack of empathy and respect towards older people needs much more training and awareness training. I wish you well. Have a nice day!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@Cognac

Not sure where you get your informations to make your opinion.

Until a vaccin will be available our lives will most likely be significantly affected by this vicious virus.

Does not matter if you like it or not.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Its; a world of Political agendas, Pharcuetical profits vs Vaccine business profits and what else to we have to help patients right now ?

profit centers ? expendable herds or fellow humans ?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Abe says it's ok? I'm in!!!!! When has he ever been wrong........................

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If you don't like and trust Avigan and I then don't take it when you sick with Coved-19. You have rights to choone the drug you have trusted on your own life.

The Avigan drug was freed for everyone who wants to take it.

Fuji Company and Japanese Government are giving free to all countries to fight against Coved-19. The Japanese Government nor the Fuji company are not selling the Avigan drug to anyone. The Japanese Government and the Fuji company are giving free to any Country to fight this Coved-19 disease. No one is making money out of this deadly disease.

What so negative about this article?

If you don't like Abe and then you should go after PM Abe and not the drug that may save other people live. No one was pushing someone to take the drug. They have to decide whether take the Avigan drug or something else. This is a freed for everyone. The test results in the China show encouraging and the Chinese government decided to add the Avigan drug as one of the drugs that will use to treat Coved-19 disease. They know the side effects. So the doctors will not give to the pregnant women.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

No one is making money out of this deadly disease.......

The test results in the China show encouraging and the Chinese government decided to add the Avigan drug as one of the drugs that will use to treat Coved-19 disease.

err, it's free to the selected countries because Abe wants to use non-Japanese as guinea pigs as part of its clinical trials. Further, the Chinese were supporting with fudged research because they have a vested interest in it. ie. most of the raw materials for the manufacturing of Avigan originates from China, and it is China not Japan, that has the manufacturing capability to mass produce the drug for various countries needs. Therefore, it is China who stands to profit most, with Fujifilm receiving a handsome royalty. Still think no one stands to make money?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Judy Itoh kind of understand you I kind of don't , but sorry anyway, it wasn't meant to be disrespeful.

phew ... I was kind of wondering why so many minus votes :(

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Remdesivir might work for more severe cases

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Avigan showed success in South Korea and China Google Avigan China Coronavirus

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I am a pragmatic cynic. Thus I have concluded a reason for Abe- Sans actions.

trump purchased millions of theses meds to on-sell for personnel profit. That failed.

Is trump putting pressure on his old friend, Abe-San, to promote the use of these meds

so that he can off-load them and still run a profit?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Well, all his ‘passive’ attempts at controlling the spread of the virus are a failure, so why not throw a controversial treatment into the mix for good measure.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's alarming to see the media keep pushing Remdesivir while attacking every other drug. There's an obvious agenda at play here, and that's corroborated by the blatant shilling on social media for Remdesivir.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Illyas ,the Coronavirus show the failure of the US medical establishment, who try to take credit for Chinese success, while China has had a successful mitigation program, they are to proud to beg Chinese for help

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If you recall, it was Avigan that made Ishida Junichi and Kudo Kankuro recover.

https://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/entertainment/news/CK2020042302100136.html

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20200421-00000510-sanspo-ent

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

In my opinion, Politics should stop interfere with medical and let medical doctors handling the situation

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Bad news , Remdesivir is not working

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'm sorry, but I'm not taking anything until Pope Fauci tells me to.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

yeah @katy so it seems ! just read the story on https://www.bbc.com/news/world-52406261

now what ?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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