The government decided Monday that it will postpone the approval of Avigan, a drug targeting new types of influenza, beyond this month, according to sources.
The drug was expected to be approved this month to treat patients infected with the novel coronavirus.
A government official, citing that as of Monday there was yet no application for Avigan's approval by the drugmaker, said approving the drug "is getting difficult."
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had earlier said he was aiming for the drug's approval this month.
Avigan, developed by Tokyo-based Fujifilm Toyama Chemical Co., is being put through clinical tests and research in Japan to confirm its effectiveness against the novel coronavirus.
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