US FDA Revokes Emergency Approval of Chloroquine, COVID-19 Treatment Praised by Trump

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] On the 15th (local time), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the emergency use authorization for the malaria treatments chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, which had been authorized for the treatment of COVID-19.

According to the Associated Press, the FDA stated that "it is unreasonable to believe that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine would be effective in treating COVID-19," and thus revoked the authorization.

The FDA also cited reports of severe hypotension, muscle and nervous system damage, and cardiac complications, adding that these drugs pose greater risks than benefits to COVID-19 patients.

The FDA's revocation of emergency use authorization means that the federal government will no longer distribute these drugs to state or local health authorities. However, general medical practitioners can still prescribe them to COVID-19 patients.

In response to this announcement, President Donald Trump immediately pushed back. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug that President Trump has promoted as a potential "game changer" for COVID-19 treatment. He also stated that he regularly takes it to prevent COVID-19.

On the same day, President Trump said, "I took that drug and felt good," adding, "It is unclear whether the drug had an effect, but what is clear is that it did not harm me."

President Trump also mentioned that there have been "great reports" related to this drug from other countries such as France and Spain.

However, in reality, France has already reportedly stopped using these drugs for COVID-19 patients.

A research team from the University of Minnesota in the U.S. also published findings that the effect of chloroquine administration is similar to a placebo effect (a psychological effect where symptoms improve after taking a fake drug).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.