The European Union has sent initial supplies of an experimental antiviral drug to France, Spain and the Netherlands in response to a Hantavirus outbreak, the European Commission announced.
The shipment consists of 1,400 tablets of favipiravir, sourced through a donation from Japanese pharmaceutical company Fujifilm. The arrangement was coordinated between Japanese authorities and the EU delegation in Tokyo.
No approved vaccine or treatment currently exists for Hantavirus. The European Medicines Agency has identified favipiravir as the most viable option available, either through clinical trials or via “compassionate use” protocols, which allow unapproved medicines to be administered to patients in serious condition.
The Commission said decisions on whether to deploy the drug will rest with each member state, based on their own assessment of patient needs.
Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, said solidarity and swift action were essential to saving lives.
The Commission has also launched emergency procurement procedures to secure additional supplies, in anticipation of rising case numbers in the weeks ahead.
