The effectiveness of Areplivir (favipiravir) in the treatment of COVID-19 was discussed at the 16th National Congress of Therapists

On the first day of the 16th National Congress of Therapists, a satellite symposium of the Promomed Group of Companies was held under the title: "Always on the same side against COVID-19." The symposium was attended by leading experts in the field of COVID-19 research Dmitry Pushkar, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, MD, Elena Malinnikova, Head of the Department of Virology of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, MD, Andrey Malyavin, MD, Chief freelance specialist pulmonologist of the Central Federal District Russian Federation, Professor of the Department of Phthisiology and Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Moscow State Medical and Dental University named after A.I. Evdokimov, Sergey Avdeev, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Chief freelance specialist Pulmonologist, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

With the report "Drug prevention of COVID-19. Exchange of experience" was delivered by Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Pushkar, who led the clinical trials of the drug Areplivir^® (favipiravir) and is an authoritative expert in the field of COVID-19 treatment, for which he was awarded the Order of Pirogov. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of studying new drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 based on reliable and objective clinical studies.: "We applied the research protocol we developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug Areplivir. The results showed the expediency of introducing this drug into general medical practice as an etiotropic therapy. The search for drugs to treat COVID-19 continues at the present time. Promomed has developed and is introducing an injectable form of the already well-known drug Areplivir. Today, this is the only favipiravir-based drug for the etiotropic therapy of a new coronavirus infection."

After analyzing the research of Russian and foreign experts on the effect of favipiravir on the course of SARS-CoV-2 and based on his own experience, chief freelance specialist pulmonologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Head of the Department of Pulmonology at Sechenov University Sergey Avdeev noted that the oral form has successfully proven itself in the treatment of coronavirus infection. The injectable form of Areplivir (favipiravir), according to experts in the field of COVID-19 treatment, significantly expands therapeutic possibilities and adds a new etiotropic agent to the arsenal of a practitioner.

Based on the conducted pharmacoeconomical studies of the expediency of Areplivir therapy, Andrey Malyavin, Professor of the Department of Phthisiology and Pulmunology at the Faculty of Medicine, Deputy Head of the Department of Science at the Moscow State Medical and Dental University named after A.I. Evdokimov, noted the high pharmacoeconomic expediency of using early treatment with Areplivir (fapiravir), which reduces the length of hospital stay and reduces the economic burden (up to 800 thousand rubles per patient).

In conclusion, Andrey Malyavin said: "Thus, it has been proven that the widespread and early administration of Areplivir (favapiravir) allows saving 12 billion rubles per month in the budget due to early discharge, reducing the need for intensive care and minimizing severe complications, including distress syndrome." Elena Malinnikova, Head of the Department of Virology at the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, confirmed the reduction in the burden on the general healthcare system as a result of using Areplivir, noting that Areplivir^® can be considered as a drug that accelerates the patient's recovery at any stage of COVID-19 both in the hospital and in the outpatient clinic. The expert did not rule out the possibility of using the drug in the late stages. 

"I believe it is necessary to develop a unified management strategy for patients with cystic fibroids using Areplivir, since favipiravir is compatible with all recommended pathogenetic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapies. Moreover, the drug has shown a high efficacy and safety profile, proven in many clinical trials.

According to reports on the results of clinical trials, it was shown that none of the patients taking Areplivir^® There was no deterioration in well-being, no need for ventilation was registered, and there was no negative effect on vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, ECG, uric acid levels, which is usually what therapists most often refer to. I would like to draw special attention to the fact that there have been no serious adverse events related to taking the drug and cases of discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events,Oh, it wasn't."

Recall that clinical trials of Areplivir (favipiravir) tablet form began in June 2020 and took place in five medical institutions in Russia under the leadership of full members of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In clinical trials, Areplivir^® has proven to be highly effective and safe, preventing the disease from developing into a severe form of coronavirus infection. And in the same year, it was included in the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for etiotropic therapy of COVID-19.

On November 12, 2021, the first domestic injectable direct-acting antiviral drug Areplivir^® (favipiravir) was registered (RU LP 007 598). The drug will be delivered to hospitals in all regions of Russia by the end of the year.

The 16th National Congress of Internists is the main annual event of the scientific medical community of our country, which brings together leading Russian scientists and healthcare professionals, practitioners, opinion leaders, representatives of government authorities and public organizations, which makes it an authoritative platform for constructive dialogue.

More than 400 Russian specialists, as well as representatives of the international medical community, exchange experiences, share opinions and achievements in various fields of medicine, which contributes to a fruitful discussion of the prospects for the development of healthcare and helps to find new ways to solve existing problems.