Bangladesh makes Favipiravir to treat Covid-19 patients

Two local drug makers – Beacon and Beximco pharmaceuticals – have produced Favipiravir, an antiviral drug that is being used by some countries to treat the Covid-19 patients.

They will give the medicine to the government and the hospitals where coronavirus patients are being treated instead of selling it to the pharmacies.

“It took us just one month to make the drug. We are excited,” Mohammad Ebadul Karim, managing director of Beacon Pharma, told The Business Standard.

Beacon will hand over the drug to the Directorate General of Drug Administration on Sunday (5th April).

But making the drug was not as easy as there was no confirmed data and raw materials, Karim said.

In the first batch, Beacon has produced Favipiravir for 100 patients only and the company is on the way to boost production by this month.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals will give the medicine directly to the hospitals where Covid-19 patients are being treated, said Rabbur Reza, chief operating officer of the company.