Posted by Michael Wonder on 02 Apr 2020
EMA urges caution on malaria drugs' use for COVID-19 in absence of evidence
1 April 2020 - The European Union's drug regulator warned on Wednesday that two older malaria drugs being tested against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) should only be used in trials or national emergency use programmes, citing side effects and uncertain efficacy.
Separately, the U.S. FDA flagged shortages of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine due to a significant surge in demand.
U.S. President Donald Trump has touted the medicines, approved for malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, for use against COVID-19. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last weekend accepted millions of doses donated by Novartis.
