The Ohio State Board of Pharmacy is banning pharmacists, licensed drug dealers, and medical institutions from prescribing the controversial antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine to treat or prevent the new coronavirus.
The state board of pharmacies said in a memo that the rule would go into effect on Thursday and generally prohibits the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. The pharmacist cannot dispense any prescription and an authorized distributor of dangerous dangerous drugs will not be able to sell it, according to the rule, which also applies to hospitals and nursing homes.
“Prescriptions issued for chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine for prophylactic use related to COVID-19 or for the treatment of COVID-19 are strictly prohibited unless the executive director of the board approves otherwise in consultation with the chairman of the board,” he says. the memo.
The use of antimalarial drugs as part of an approved clinical trial will be exempt from restrictions.
“Basically, it’s a patient safety issue,” Cameron McNamee, director of policy and communications for the state board, told The Columbus Dispatch. “We are looking for the best science to determine what is best for Ohio patients.”
The Ohio State Board of Pharmacy is responsible for administering and enforcing laws related to pharmacy and drug distribution. The agency did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment from The Hill.
Hydroxychloroquine has attracted attention for months thanks to its promotion by President Trump
Donald John Trump Governor Approval Rates Drop As COVID-19 Cases Rise Gohmert Says He Will Take Hydroxychloroquine As Treatment For Virginia Governor COVID-19, Senators Seek CDC Help With Coronavirus Outbreak In Center immigration detention MORE and other top White House officials. Trump claimed earlier this year that the drug had a chance to be a “game changer” for efforts to treat the deadly virus.
However, studies have consistently shown that the antimalarial drug has done little to improve the conditions of patients with coronavirus. Anthony Fauci
Anthony Fauci Gohmert says that he will take hydroxychloroquine for treatment with COVID-19. Pence met with doctors for a viral video containing false claims of coronavirus. Fauci says a viral video retweeted by Trump features “a group of people saying something that is not true.” PLUS, the country’s leading infectious disease expert and key member of the White House coronavirus working group, said this week that clinical trials have “overwhelmingly” indicated that it is ineffective in treating patients with coronavirus.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked its emergency use authorization for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in June after clinical trials showed it was not helping to treat COVID-19 and that it could cause adverse health effects. .
In the face of criticism, Trump has doubled his defense of the drug. During a White House press conference on Tuesday, the president claimed the drug was “safe,” citing the 14-day period in which he took it earlier this year.
“Many doctors think it is extremely good, and some people don’t,” Trump said. “I think it has become very political.”
McNamee said the Ohio board’s decision was not associated with Trump’s continued promotion of the drug. He told The Dispatch that the state wants people to “focus on what works, like social distancing and wearing masks.”
“Ultimately, we want to make sure that people are safe and are not exposed to drugs that have been shown to be ineffective in treating COVID-19,” he said.
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