Hydroxychloroquine of the morning
2020-04-07 17:14:27.168581+02 by Dan Lyke 0 comments
This is despite the fact that the drugs have achieved mixed results in scientific studies. One study suggested it provides no additional benefit to patients who are already receiving care and being treated with antiviral drugs.
Another from researchers in France that has been widely cited by those in favor of using the chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine found the drugs dramatically lower viral load in COVID-19 patients. However, it has been criticized for its poor design, The Financial Times reports.
A paper published last week went even further, disputing its claims and finding no evidence of antiviral clearence or clinical benefit of using hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to treat COVID-19.
There are quite a few of the usual alt-medicine blogs still pushing it (although they usually can't keep "chloroquine" (Aralen) and "hydroxychloroquine" (Plaquenil) distinct), which is surprising, because Donald Trump's financial interest is in Sanofi the maker of Plaquenil (Edit: Snopes says it's not a substantive investment).
Trump’s ‘Hail Mary’ drug push rattles his health team
Trump’s focus on the drugs — driven by his faith in scant evidence that they work to speed recovery from Covid-19 — has increasingly warped his administration’s response. Health officials have been told to prioritize the anti-malaria drugs over other projects that scientists believe have more potential to fight the outbreak.