Page 27 - rp-may-2020

NEWS ETHICAL
25
RET AIL PHARMA C Y • MA Y 2020
MALARIA DRUG NOT OK AS CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT
Hydroxychloroquine, a medicine
approved in Australia to treat malaria as
well as some autoimmune diseases such
as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, has
received much media attention about its
potential use for treating COVID-19.
It is, however, not approved to treat or
prevent COVID-19.
“Although there are major clinical trials
now underway, there’s currently little
evidence that hydroxychloroquine is
safe or effective for COVID-19,” says one
of the authors of an article published in
Australian Prescriber
.
Associate Professor Ian Coombes
from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s
Hospital warned about the effects of
prescribing the drug.
“Should a doctor prescribe
hydroxychloroquine for family and
friends to treat COVID-19?” he asked.
“Using this medicine incorrectly
and at the wrong dose could lead to
serious side effects like seizures and
heart problems.
“As an additional concern, the current
hype around hydroxychloroquine
and subsequent hoarding has led to
shortages of the medicine. For some
people with autoimmune diseases like
lupus, there’s no effective alternative
to hydroxychloroquine, and stopping
treatment can lead to serious harm and
even death.”
Doctors may feel pressured by
patients, as well as family and friends,
to prescribe hydroxychloroquine for
COVID-19, the authors said. However,
they added, this raises ethical
questions, and hydroxychloroquine
should not be prescribed outside of a
clinical trial.
For updates on the issue, visit:
nps.org.au/hcq-and-covid-19
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