In 2010 and 2011, well ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, Toyama
Chemical Co.,Ltd, now trading as "Fjujifilm Toyama Chemical
Co., Ltd.", filed three patent applications in Thailand nos.
1101001988, 1301001720, and 1301001721 for the production of
Favipiravir tablets. Favipiravir is a pyrazinecarboxamide
derivative with activity against RNA viruses that was initially
approved for therapeutic use in resistant cases of influenza.
Current treatments for people infected with COVID-19 in Thailand
include the prescription of Favipiravir. On 17 July 2020, AIDS
Access Foundation opposed the patent applications. The Patent
Office of the Department of Intellectual Property of Thailand (DIP)
has now rejected the applications on the ground that they lack of
inventive step. Fujifilm Toyama may appeal against the rejection
decision before the Patent Board. In the meantime, the Government
Pharmaceutical Organization, a state enterprise and a key
manufacturer of drugs is developing
