Academicians of the Russian Academy of Sciences consider the use of favipiravir for preventive purposes justified

The 15th National Congress of Internists, the main annual event of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internists, bringing together specialized specialists from all regions of the country, opened yesterday. The symposium "Lessons of the Pandemic. Interdisciplinary dialogue on COVID-19", organized by the PROMOMED Group of Companies.

The main scientific discussion revolved around the results of a multicenter clinical trial of the efficacy and safety of the antiviral drug Areplivir (favipiravir) in patients with coronavirus infection. Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internists (RNMOT) took part in the discussion Anatoly Ivanovich Martynov, academicians of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vadim Markovich Govorun and Dmitry Yuryevich Pushkar, as well as Doctors of Medical Sciences, Professors Elena Anatolyevna Klimova and Tatiana Yulyevna Demidova.

According to experts, the data obtained on the use of favipiravir leave virtually no doubt about its effectiveness and safety. Moreover, Dmitry Pushkar considers it advisable to take the drug for preventive purposes. "The use of Areplivir has shown a clear advantage over other types of therapy. The results of the FAV052020 protocol were reported to the members of the consortium of the academic community for the study of COVID-19. These results were discussed and received positively. Today we understand that it is important not to miss the initial stage of the disease," he says. – Therefore, the appointment of a dose-adjusted drug can also be considered as a preventive measure for COVID-19. And it is advisable to initiate such studies."

Vadim Govorun, Director General of the FNCC of Physico-Chemical Medicine of the FMBA of Russia, agrees with him. "Favipiravir-based drugs prevent the virus from multiplying, and this is already a proven fact. Now it is more important not to argue about effectiveness, but to strive to reduce the cost and reduce the time of diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus as much as possible, so that both patients and doctors do not miss the very beginning of the disease," the specialist noted.

The work of the National Congress of Therapists will last until November 20.

Areplivir (favipiravir) is the latest direct antiviral drug for the treatment of coronavirus infection, and is included in the guidelines of the Russian Ministry of Health for the treatment of COVID-19. By order of the Government of the Russian Federation, it is included in the list of vital and essential medicines. In the course of clinical trials, the drug has shown high efficacy and safety, preventing the transition of the disease to a severe form and speeding up recovery. The selling price fixed by the Federal Antimonopoly Service has made Areplivir one of the most affordable medicines against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.