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.
Veteran-founded bourbon brand wins $25,000 Fox Business contest: ‘Sip to remember’
Trump issues pardon to former Republican congressman convicted of insider trading
The Way to Save Education Is Through School Choice
Christians Are Being Hunted Like Sport
Platner supporter Khanna calls Senate hopeful’s past relationships ‘toxic,’ but says he deserves ‘redemption’
Six Flags Bans Popular YouTuber ‘For Life’ After Viral Chicken McNugget Video
National Park Service ranger dies after falling into crevasse on Mount McKinley during climbing patrol
USDA Secretary Faces Lawsuit for Explicitly Christian Messages to Employees
Ex-CIA official stole $40 million in gold by making fake top-secret spy program
Top House Democrat says there’s ‘no way’ Platner didn’t know tattoo’s Nazi origins
Michigan athlete lured by Snapchat message before being shot, dumped in lake while still alive
Trump Offers Timeline for When Gas Prices Will Start Dropping Again
Former Indiana Rep Stephen Buyer receives full pardon from Trump for 2023 insider trading conviction
The Dubious Legal Theory That Could Make Life Even More Expensive For Americans
Trump moves to slash intelligence office ahead of permanent chief’s arrival
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.”
Veteran-founded bourbon brand wins $25,000 Fox Business contest: ‘Sip to remember’
Trump issues pardon to former Republican congressman convicted of insider trading
The Way to Save Education Is Through School Choice
Christians Are Being Hunted Like Sport
Platner supporter Khanna calls Senate hopeful’s past relationships ‘toxic,’ but says he deserves ‘redemption’
Six Flags Bans Popular YouTuber ‘For Life’ After Viral Chicken McNugget Video
National Park Service ranger dies after falling into crevasse on Mount McKinley during climbing patrol
USDA Secretary Faces Lawsuit for Explicitly Christian Messages to Employees
Ex-CIA official stole $40 million in gold by making fake top-secret spy program
Top House Democrat says there’s ‘no way’ Platner didn’t know tattoo’s Nazi origins
Michigan athlete lured by Snapchat message before being shot, dumped in lake while still alive
Trump Offers Timeline for When Gas Prices Will Start Dropping Again
Former Indiana Rep Stephen Buyer receives full pardon from Trump for 2023 insider trading conviction
The Dubious Legal Theory That Could Make Life Even More Expensive For Americans
Trump moves to slash intelligence office ahead of permanent chief’s arrival
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.
