The Japanese government has offered to
release an anti-influenza drug called
Favipiravir, which they claim they developed
for the treatment of new and re-emerging viral
diseases, including Ebola. They say the drug
can treat Ebola and other influenza viral
diseases. Continue...

Announcing the offer to newsmen yesterday
August 25th in Tokyo, the Chief Cabinet
Secretary of the Japanese government,
Yoshihide Suga said the Japanese
government is waiting for the World Health
Organization to request for the drug and it will
be dispatched immediately. He however said
that pending the time WHO will approve and
request for the drug, any emergency request
by any individual may be responded to by
Japan.

Spokesperson of Fujifilm, the company that
developed the drug, Takao Aoki, said
they have more than enough of the drug to
cater for over 20,000 patients and are in talks
with the US Food and Drug Administration for
clinical testing of the drug

"Fujifilm is in talks with the US Food and
Drug Administration on clinical testing of
the drug in treating Ebola, The company
has Favipiravir stock for more than
20,000 patients. Ebola and influenza
viruses are the same type and
theoretically similar effects can be
expected on Ebola,” he said.

Nigeria's Health ministry had last week
Thursday August 21st announced that it
had requested for another type of Anti-
Ebola viral drugs but its not certain if it
was Favipiravir.