Japan promises free Avigan to Iran and 40 countries

Doses will generate clinical data to speed research

20200505N Avigan pills

Avigan is made by a unit of Japan's Fujifilm Holdings. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)

SHOTARO MIYASAKA and MASAYA KATO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan will provide flu drug and potential coronavirus treatment Avigan free of charge to Iran, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani by phone Tuesday.

Iran had requested the meeting to discuss the countries' response to the new coronavirus. The rare telephone conversation marked Abe and Rouhani's first time speaking since their December summit here.

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