Japan Health Ministry Approves New Astrazeneca Covid Drug
Japan's health ministry has approved use of a new drug developed by the British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca that could prevent serious illness or symptoms in people infected with the coronavirus.
The drug, called Evusheld, consists of antibodies that are injected. The health ministry gave the go-ahead for its use on Tuesday.
AstraZeneca says in a trial through March last year involving people not infected with the coronavirus, the drug cut the risk of developing symptoms by 77 percent and its efficacy lasted six months.
In a trial through July last year involving patients with mild to moderate symptoms, the drug cut the risk of serious illness or death by 50 percent if administered within seven days of developing symptoms.
Western nations have approved the drug for use prior to infection.
The ministry plans for the drug to be used on patients whose immunity has been compromised for reasons such as cancer treatment, and would not respond well to vaccine shots. It will be administered only if their doctor deems it necessary.
The ministry has stockpiled 150,000 doses, and plans to take procedures to make the drug available as soon as possible.