Trump requests Modi to release anti-malarial drug for COVID-19 treatment

US President Donald Trump said that he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients. "After call today with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is giving serious consideration to releasing the hold it put on a US order for hydroxychloroquine," Trump said, reported NDTV. "India makes a lot of it. They need a lot too for their billion-plus people. The hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug will be released through the Strategic National Stockpile for treatment," he said. India had, after the COVID-19 outbreak, banned the export of the drug.

Decades old malaria-drug hydroxychloroquine appears to have some good results in the treatment of coronavirus patients, Trump said. "We continue to study the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and other therapies in the treatment and prevention of the virus and will keep the American people fully informed in our findings," Trump told reporters during a press briefing at the White House. Trump said that it looked as if hydroxychloroquine is having some good results. "It's looking like it [hydroxychloroquine] is having some good results. I hope that would be a phenomenal thing," Trump said, days after the US Federal and Drug Administration approved the drug being used in the treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.

On March 31, the Union Health Ministry had recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine, in combination with azithromycin, on those severely suffering from COVID-19 who require ICU management. In its revised guidelines on the 'Clinical Management of COVID-19, the ministry said the drug is presently not recommended for children aged less than 12 and pregnant and lactating women. "No specific antivirals have been proven to be effective as per currently available data. However, based on the available information [uncontrolled clinical trials], the following drugs may be considered as an off-label indication in patients with severe disease and requiring ICU management," the ministry said, while recommending the drug combination. In its revised guidelines on the 'Clinical Management of COVID-19' issued on Tuesday, the ministry said the drug is presently not recommended for children aged less than 12 and pregnant and lactating women.

The ICMR has also repeatedly stressed and conveyed that the drug is not recommended to be used by everyone. “We have repeatedly said it is not to be used by everyone. It is being given to doctors and contacts of lab confirmed cases. When their data will be complied only then a call can be taken whether it should be recommended to everyone [who is at risk],” said ICMR senior scientist Raman Gangakhedkar.