Japanese deputy minister of health, labor and welfare, Kojima Toshifumi has expressed his country’s interest in increasing cooperation with Cuba in health, particularly the development and production of medication.

The Japanese health official met in Tokyo with Cuba’s ambassador to the Asian country, Miguel Ramirez.

Ambassador Ramirez offered his host detailed information about Cuba's advances in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

The Cuban diplomat gave Kojima a sample of the Cuban medicine Policosanol, commonly known as PPG, for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. PPG is registered for production and marketing in Japan since July 2019.

During the meeting, the two sides also spoke about Cuba’s recombinant human interferon alpha-2b, one of some 30 drugs used right now to treat patients with COVID-19.

Tarumi Hideki, director general of the Japanese bureau of pharmaceutical safety and environmental health, and Taguchi Kazuho, head of the global cooperation office, were also present at the meeting.