The Essential Medicine Program (Promese), the state-run, low cost, pharmaceutical provider, has announced that it has ample stores of hydroxychloroquine. The medication is used to prevent and treat malaria and is also used for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other sicknesses. It is taken by mouth.
The local medical authorities say the drug has proven to be effective treating seriously ill coronavirus patients. The drug reportedly was distributed to the nation’s hospitals where cases of coronavirus are being treated. The Ministry of Public Health says the drug will be applied under the protocols set up by the Pan American Health Organization.
This is the same drug that US President Donald Trump has been promoting for widespread use in the United States. Nevertheless, the president of the American Medical Association, Dr. Patrice Harris told CNN on 5 April 2020 that this is “inappropriate prescribing”. While the US FDA has approved the drug for emergency use, it has not been tested and has known severe side effects that could worsen the disease and cause deaths. The only technical studies available so far say it only has helped patients that had mild cases, not those seriously ill, and there is some question even then whether it was hydroxychloroquine that made the difference.
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El Dia
Listin Diario
CNN
6 April 2020