The Food And Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency authorization Sunday for hydroxychloroquine, a drug already used to treat malaria and other ailments, which has shown anecdotal efficacy against coronavirus.
The use of the drug — often paired with azithromycin — has not yet been proven in clinical trials to be effective against the disease. However, given reported success in a growing number of small, non-randomized studies; as well as testimonials from doctors and patients about the use of the “off-label” drug regimen, doctors are said to be prescribing the treatment to patients who are severely ill. Anecdotally, many doctors are taking it prophylactically.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a statement on Sunday:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to BARDA to allow hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate products donated to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to be distributed and prescribed by doctors to hospitalized teen and adult patients with COVID-19, as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible.
UMass Dartmouth football murder suspect overstayed tourist visa, received deferred action: federal sources
Pittsburgh doctor stabbed to death after intruder allegedly attacks him, wife as they slept: police
New Jersey Gov Mikie Sherrill calls on lieutenant governor to resign after sexual harassment investigation
FBI says source of its jobs portal breach still unknown as hackers allege employee data compromised
Mamdani-backed socialist arrested at anti-Netanyahu protest outside UN
Michigan nurse accused of breaking bones and bruising premature infant at children’s hospital
Xi can’t escape protesters’ cries at deafening dinner demonstration
College Basketball Coach-Turned ESPN Personality Dies at 47
Watch: Xi Descends Into Laughter as Trump Shows off ‘President Autopen’ Picture in Place of Joe Biden’s Portrait
Talarico, Buoyed by Strong Gen Z Support, Leads Paxton Outside Margin of Error in New Poll
DOJ announces $25 million ANGEL grant program as it hosts violent crime victims
Unearthed clip exposes clash between El-Sayed and ex-GOP rival: ‘Muslims definitely hate you’
What’s on the menu for Trump’s state dinner with China’s Xi? One American staple is notably missing
Watch: ‘Oh, My God! Why Are We Saying “Free Palestine” Then?’ LGBT Activist Learns Muslims She’s Cheering for Hate Gays
Angel mom says blue state DAs are putting illegal immigrant criminals before public safety
HHS also noted that it had “accepted 30 million doses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate donated by Sandoz, the Novartis generics and biosimilars division, and one million doses of chloroquine phosphate donated by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, for possible use in treating patients hospitalized with COVID-19 or for use in clinical trials.”
Earlier, the French government had approved similar drugs to treat the virus.
Amid concerns that the sudden interest in hydroxychloroquine could cause shortages, HHS noted: “Use of the donated medications is expected to help ease supply pressures for the drug, and the FDA is also working with manufacturers of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to increase production to ensure these drugs also remain available for patients dependent on them for treatment of malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.”
UMass Dartmouth football murder suspect overstayed tourist visa, received deferred action: federal sources
Pittsburgh doctor stabbed to death after intruder allegedly attacks him, wife as they slept: police
New Jersey Gov Mikie Sherrill calls on lieutenant governor to resign after sexual harassment investigation
FBI says source of its jobs portal breach still unknown as hackers allege employee data compromised
Mamdani-backed socialist arrested at anti-Netanyahu protest outside UN
Michigan nurse accused of breaking bones and bruising premature infant at children’s hospital
Xi can’t escape protesters’ cries at deafening dinner demonstration
College Basketball Coach-Turned ESPN Personality Dies at 47
Watch: Xi Descends Into Laughter as Trump Shows off ‘President Autopen’ Picture in Place of Joe Biden’s Portrait
Talarico, Buoyed by Strong Gen Z Support, Leads Paxton Outside Margin of Error in New Poll
DOJ announces $25 million ANGEL grant program as it hosts violent crime victims
Unearthed clip exposes clash between El-Sayed and ex-GOP rival: ‘Muslims definitely hate you’
What’s on the menu for Trump’s state dinner with China’s Xi? One American staple is notably missing
Watch: ‘Oh, My God! Why Are We Saying “Free Palestine” Then?’ LGBT Activist Learns Muslims She’s Cheering for Hate Gays
Angel mom says blue state DAs are putting illegal immigrant criminals before public safety
President Donald Trump has suggested that hydroxychloroquine could be effective, and has encouraged further study. His interest in the drug has prompted pushback from the media.
NBC News’ Peter Alexander accused the president last week of giving Americans “false hope,” and Politico’s Dan Diamond reported Sunday that the FDA decision came despite “scant evidence,” adding that “[c]areer scientists have been skeptical of the effort.”
Story cited here.
