FDA Pulls Approval For Drugs Praised By Donald Trump To Treat COVID-19
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US has revoked emergency use authorization (EUA) for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, anti-malaria drugs that President Donald Trump had claimed to take as preventive measures against COVID-19.
Trump previously publicized the use of the drugs as treatment for the coronavirus, and even purported to have used them himself, according to CNN. However, subsequent reports have found that the drugs do not meet “the statutory criteria” for emergency use authorization. The agency noted the latest scientific evidence on its website on Monday.
The FDA concluded that it is “no longer reasonable to believe that oral formulations of HCQ and CQ may be effective in treating COVID-19,” according to FDA chief scientist Denise Hinton.
The drugs have been linked with serious cardiovascular events and other negative side effects among COVID-19 patients, therefore presenting more known risks than potential benefits against the respiratory disease.
The drugs, however, have been proven effective as a treatment for chronic rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and more, and patients suffering from them will require the medication more than those affected by the current pandemic.
Based on continued review of scientific data, FDA has determined that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are unlikely to be effective in treating #COVID19 and therefore we are revoking the emergency use authorization for these drugs: https://t.co/k9kJMeci0a pic.twitter.com/W2aItvFcBU
— FDA Drug Information (@FDA_Drug_Info) June 15, 2020
[via TechCrunch, cover image via Shutterstock]
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