000000_new_york

Hydroxychloroquine given to 1,100 patients with COVID-19 in New York

pharmafile | March 30, 2020 | News story | Sales and Marketing COVID-19, New York, china coronavirus, coronavirus 

The malaria drug hydroxychloroquine is being administered to 1,100 patients in New York, which is fast becoming the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.

The drug is being test on an experimental basis, and it is hoped by President Trump that it will become a treatment for the virus.

He told reporters: “Hydroxychloroquine is being administered to 1,100 patients, people in New York along with the Z-pack, which is azithromycin, and it is very early yet. It started two days ago but we will see what happens.” This followed a tweet last week where he touted the drug as a “gift from god”.

Advertisement

The FDA allowed a quick approval due to data suggesting it could be an effective coronavirus treatment and the drug having relatively harmless side effects. The current evidence showing its effectiveness is from a small 36-patient study from French researchers that shows it can kill COVID-19.

Since Trump’s tweets and statements, people have been panic buying the drug sold under the brand name Plaquenil which was originally approved in 1955.

The FDA has also allowed this drug to be donated to the Strategic National Stockpile. Novartis’s Sandoz has donated 30 million doses to the stockpile while Bayer has donated 1 million doses of chloroquine.

In New York, over 1,000 people have now died from the virus and Sunday saw a 7,200 increase in cases.

Conor Kavanagh

Related Content

covid_cell

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility creates challenges for UK pharmacies

Pharmacists across England have reported widespread confusion among patients attempting to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments …

Prescriptions image

Mental health medicine use in England reaches record high, NHSBSA report reveals

According to new data published by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), mental health prescriptions …

Vaccine image

FDA approves Moderna’s Spikevax for children at increased risk of COVID-19

Moderna has been granted US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, …

The Gateway to Local Adoption Series

Latest content