Spain, France, and the Netherlands receive the first doses of an experimental antiviral against hantavirus

Ane Barcos The European Commission announced this Thursday that Fujifilm Pharmaceuticals, from Japan, has donated 1,400 tablets of Favipiravir, an experimental antiviral for the treatment of hantavirus, which are being sent to France, Spain, and the Netherlands to treat patients or conduct clinical trials. The donation, the Commission explained, was facilitated by Japanese authorities and the European Union Delegation to Japan. Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib emphasized that, thanks to “close cooperation” between the EU, Member States, and Japan, access to hantavirus treatments that “could save the lives of European patients” has been guaranteed. “This demonstrates the value of preparedness, cooperation, and trusted global partnerships,” Lahbib stressed. The Commission indicated that, while there are currently no approved medicines or vaccines for the treatment or prevention of hantavirus, the European Medicines Agency has identified Favipiravir as “the most promising candidate for use in clinical trials or compassionate use protocols.” Its use, however, will be decided by the respective Member States. Brussels stated that it has maintained “continuous communication” with Member States since the beginning of the outbreak to ensure rapid access to potential medical countermeasures and has facilitated this shipment to France, Spain, and the Netherlands. EU spokesperson Eva Hrncirova clarified at the Commission's daily press briefing that these Member States were the ones that expressed interest in this antiviral. At the same time, the Commission reported that it is initiating emergency procurement procedures to ensure the availability of additional doses should more cases be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Related Content

50 years since Juan Carlos I's trip to the US that sealed international support for the Transition

The “Madrid Declaration” calls for gender parity “in all areas of foreign policy”

A political ally of Kast, Juan Antonio Coloma, is Chile's new ambassador to Spain

The Government of Peru dismisses its ambassador in Spain, who will continue in office until the end of July

The Cervantes Institute will hold its Annual Directors' Meeting in Jerez at the end of July