Rejection of Favipiravir patent in Thailand - Was there a better way?

On 5 May 2021, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) of Thailand rejected a Thai patent application for a granulated powder tablet containing 6-fluoro-3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide, also known as Favipiravir, which is a drug used to treat viral infections including COVID-19. Favipiravir has been used in many countries including Thailand to treat COVID-19 patients.