Posted by Michael Wonder on 20 Apr 2020
Avigan ingredient shortage hits Japan stockpile plan
17 April 2020 - Lack of element from China spurs to push to find domestic suppliers.
Japan's push to triple its stockpile of anti-flu medicine Avigan for coronavirus treatment has proven a challenge as the lack of a raw ingredient from China forces Fujifilm Holdings to switch to a domestic supplier.
The frantic scramble for a production boost has highlighted Japan's heavy reliance on foreign-sourced ingredients as well as the nation's slow drug approval process -- issues both the government and pharmaceutical sector will have to grapple with.
