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The Japan News/Yomiuri

National

Kiyohiko Yoneyama and Chisato Yomon / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers

Insufficient proof behind rejection of Shionogi COVID-19 drug

Shionogi Covid-19 Yomiuri Shimbun

Experts discuss the emergency approval of Xocova as a COVID-19 pill during a health ministry meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

A COVID-19 pill developed by Shionogi & Co. has failed to win fast-track emergency approval because experts sought scientifically convincing data to prove its efficacy, rather than focusing on the need for more treatment options amid the seventh wave of novel coronavirus infections.

The decision not to approve Xocova as the first domestically produced pill for COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms was made at a joint meeting Wednesday of subgroups of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry's Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council.

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