Roommates, as the country continues its efforts of self-quarantine and social distancing, most are hoping that a proper vaccine or treatment against COVID-19 is on the way. Well, you may have gotten your wish because the FDA has just given emergency approval to anti-malaria drugs to treat the coronavirus.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially issued an emergency-use authorization for two anti-malaria drugs to treat those infected with the novel coronavirus that has swept the United States.
In a statement released on March 30th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it had received 30 million doses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate and one million doses of chloroquine phosphate donated to a national stockpile of potentially life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, oral prescription drugs used commonly used for prevention and treatment against malaria, are both being investigated as potential therapeutics for COVID-19.
In the statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it was noted that the FDA had issued an emergency-use authorization to allow both donated drugs “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.”
Additionally, federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, are also currently working together to plan clinical trials.
We hope that this good news continues, so that we all can return to our normal lives.
Roommates, what are your thoughts on this?
