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Saturday, Apr 25, 2020

Is access to hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19 restricted?

Remaya Campbell, Gigafact Foundry
yes

In March 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo restricted pharmacies in New York from dispensing hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for any uses other than those approved by U.S. Food & Drug Administration or as part of a state-approved clinical trial. All prescriptions were limited to 14 days with no refills.

After continuing speculation about the drug's potential, on April 24 the FDA issued warnings about potential side effects of hydroxychloroquine usage in combination with azithromycin for treating COVID-19. The FDA continues to allow usage of the two drugs for treatment of the virus in certain hospitalized patients via an Emergency Use Authorization. Neither drug is approved for wider use against COVID-19.

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