Advertisement

Updated May 7th, 2020 at 19:29 IST

Experts warn against use of Hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients

As the world battles to secure more of the hydroxychloroquine(HCQ), researchers have warned against the use of the drug saying it could prove fatal .

Reported by: Riya Baibhawi
Experts warn against use of Hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients
| Image:self
Advertisement

As the world battles to secure more of the hydroxychloroquine(HCQ), researchers have warned against the use of the 'wonder drug' saying it could prove fatal for the COVID-19 patients. According to reports, researchers have also asserted that countries should lessen their reliance on HCQ as there was no scientific proof of its benefit in treating coronavirus. Meanwhile, coronavirus has infected 3,822,295 and killed 1,303,793 across the world. 

M C Misra, former director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) while speaking to PTI said, "It is only on anecdotal evidence that doctors are using HCQ along with other antiviral medication (used in HIV and other viral infections) as empiric therapy to treat COVID-19 patients as there is no definite treatment available yet". 

Increased reliance 

Elaborating further about the dangers of the drug, he said that there were reports of some patients developing cardiac arrhythmia, which can cause sudden cardiac death due to the use of HCQ. Meanwhile, as the threat of COVID-19 pandemic rises, most of the countries including US and UK have started to rely more and more on the drug. India has become the leading exporter of HCQ, which is used mainly for treating malaria and rheumatoid-arthritis.

Read: COVID-19: First Consignment Of 5 Million HCQ Tablets From India Reaches Canada

Read:  COVID-19: India Gives 200,000 HCQ Tablets, Other Medical Supplies To Myanmar

This comes two days after a consignment of five million tablets of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) from India arrived in Toronto, on May 5, as a part of the cooperation in the fight against COVID-19. India has placed urgent orders of at least 11.45 crore tablets of HCQ, an anti-malarial drug, as demands from across the world have surged owing to the coronavirus crisis.

India’s High Commissioner to Canada Ajay Bisaria expressed his delight over the arrival of the consignment of five million tablets of HCQ. Taking to Twitter, Bisaria said that the consignment was part of India’s special provision for its strategic partner and it will continue to maintain global supply chain even in tough times.

Read: Several US Hospitals Using HCQ In Treatment Of COVID 19 Patients: Repor

Read: COVID-19: India Gives 200,000 HCQ Tablets, Other Medical Supplies To Myanmar

(Image credits: AP)

Advertisement

Published May 7th, 2020 at 19:29 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

BREAKING: Mukhtar Ansari Suffers Heart Attack, Admitted to Hospital in Serious Condition
a few seconds ago
MS Dhoni lifting Ravindra Jadeja after IPL 2023 victory
5 minutes ago
Rain tax to be imposed in Canada from April
15 minutes ago
Tillu Square
17 minutes ago
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar
23 minutes ago
Navi Mumbai: Man Accused Of Stealing Cardamom, Assaulted And Forced To Lick Shoes, 6 Held
24 minutes ago
Art for Hope
24 minutes ago
AIMIM
24 minutes ago
Bigbasket said it has altered its slotted delivery service to deliver within two hours against the earlier option of same day or next day delivery.
25 minutes ago
NC leadership’s presence at Mehbooba’s Iftar sparks talks of INDI alliance reconciliation
35 minutes ago
Secret weddings
37 minutes ago
Tata Steel
42 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo