A drug touted by President Trump in the medical war on the coronavirus is now being prescribed in India as COVID-19 prevention medicine for some.
The Indian Council of Medical Research on Sunday issued an “advisory” calling for the use of hydroxychloroquine “under exceptional circumstances” to treat high-risk coronavirus patients, healthcare workers treating patients, and “household contacts” of those infected.
Trump has focused on the drug, used in combination with antibiotics, as a potential life-saver. On Monday, at the daily Coronavirus Task Force press conference in the White House, Trump noted that a Florida man, who was near death from the virus, recovered quickly after taking the drug.
A great early result from a drug that will start tomorrow in New York and other places! #COVIDー19 https://t.co/4F4Qk4WFtK
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2020
In New York, experimental tests of the drug and another like it, chloroquine, are starting this week. They treat malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis but have not been OK’d in the U.S. for the coronavirus.
“On the drug therapy, Tuesday we’re going to start the hydroxychloroquine with these Zithromax, that’s the drug combination that the president has been talking about,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during Monday.
U.S. officials have warned about getting too excited about the drugs as the answer to the surging number of cases of infections and deaths.
India’s notice also included a warning that the use of the hydroxychloroquine treatment does not replace the hand-washing and other preventative measures people are urged to take. Indian media made sure to highlight that warning.
“The placing of health care workers under chemoprophylaxis should not instill a sense of false security. They should follow all prescribed public health measures such as frequent washing of hands, respiratory etiquettes, keeping a distance of 1m and use of personal protective equipment,” said the notice shared with Secrets and seen below.
