Real-world Experience with Favipiravir for Treatment of COVID-19 among Indian Healthcare Professionals

Introduction: Favipiravir has shown promising results for COVID-19 globally. Though many Indian patients have received favipiravir, there is a lack of realworld data for its clinical use by the practicing physicians. Hence, a qualitative survey was conducted to understand real-world use of favipiravir in management of COVID-19.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based, qualitative survey was conducted between September 2020 to October 2020, among Indian physicians from various specialties involved in COVID-19 care and using favipiravir in their practice. Physicians were provided survey link having a structured questionnaire with 32 questions. They were enquired on- 1) demographics,practice information, 2) place of favipiravir in clinical practice, 3) treatment protocol for mild to moderate COVID-19, 4) dosage and duration of favipiravir, 5) effectiveness of favipiravir, 6) tolerability of favipiravir 7) global efficacy and safety assessment of favipiravir.

Results: A total of 500 physicians were contacted, of which 50 physicians completed the questionnaire. 25(50.0%) were from south zone followed by 12(24.0%) from west. . Majority physicians (47, 97.9%) stated that favipiravir was used for COVID-19 in outpatient setting. Favipiravir was considered as the current drug of choice for ' mild COVID-19 with fever(86.6%). All physicians agreed that favipiravir was being used as per the recommended dose.. A total of 75% & 62.5% physicians agreed to observed clinical improvement by around 3-5 days & 5-7 days in symptomatic mild & moderate COVID-19 respectively.

Conclusion: Majority of the physicians considered favipiravir to be safe and effective in treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19.