Anti-COVID drug for 12 thousand rubles is included in list of vital in Russia

The Russian government has included Favipiravir in the vital and essential medicines list. This means that the state will regulate its price, and it should decrease to some extent.

On the basis of Favipiravir, which is used in the experimental treatment of the new coronavirus infection, three drugs are produced, which are also available in the open market - Avifavir (about 8 thousand rubles), Areplivir (more than 12 thousand rubles), and Coronavir "(about 12 thousand rubles). According to the pharmaceutical market participants, after an agreement with the Federal Antimonopoly Service, their price should decrease, but hardly significantly.

At this price point, Favipiravir has not been proven to be effective. The Bell recalls that the drug was developed in Japan in 2014 to treat influenza; five years later, the release of analogs (generics) was allowed. In Japan, in the spring, it was tested as a cure for COVID, but it was recognized that it does not give significant results. Nevertheless, in Russia, three pharmaceutical companies decided to release it, believing that Favipiravir allows accelerating the improvement of the patients' condition for a few days.