Politico | US Food and Drug Administration ends emergency use of hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus
- Trump had promoted use of antimalarial drug as Covid-19 treatment despite safety concerns
- Agency now believes suggested dosing regimens ‘are unlikely to produce an antiviral effect’, FDA chief scientist says in letter announcing decision
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Sarah Owermohle on politico.com on June 15, 2020
The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday withdrew emergency use authorisations for two coronavirus treatments promoted by President Donald Trump despite concerns about their safety and effectiveness.
The agency revoked the authorisations for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine after a request from Gary Disbrow, acting director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
After reviewing new information from large clinical trials the agency now believes that the suggested dosing regimens “are unlikely to produce an antiviral effect”, FDA chief scientist Denise Hinton said in a letter announcing the decision.
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Critics have accused the agency of caving to political pressure when it authorised use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in hospitalised Covid-19 patients in late March despite thin evidence.