Japan weighs using anti-flu drug Avigan to treat Covid-19 patients

A taxi driver wearing a mask waiting for a fare with a Tokyo 2020 logo on the door of his car in Tokyo. Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Saturday (Feb 22) that the country is mulling using Avigan, an anti-influenza medication to treat patients of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. - AP

TOKYO: Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Saturday (Feb 22) that the country is mulling using Avigan, an anti-influenza medication to treat patients of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

"We hear from overseas that some (drugs) among those that have been used against influenza may be useful," Kato told reporters in Tokyo.