MFDS: "Chloroquine's Effectiveness for COVID-19 Treatment and Prevention Not Proven"

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Amid recent fake news circulating that the malaria treatment drug 'Chloroquine' has preventive and therapeutic effects against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has warned that "there is no proven effectiveness, so caution is necessary when using it."

On the 5th, the MFDS stated, "Chloroquine was not recognized for therapeutic benefits in COVID-19 patients in the first half of last year in South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the World Health Organization (WHO), and it was recommended not to use it for COVID-19 prevention or treatment purposes."

Earlier, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the emergency use authorization for chloroquine for COVID-19 treatment in June last year. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) warned that serious side effects such as cardiac arrhythmia may occur after taking chloroquine and assessed that the possibility of nerve cell damage leading to liver and kidney disorders, seizures, and hypoglycemia cannot be excluded.

The MFDS also emphasized regarding 'Dexamethasone,' an anti-inflammatory drug used for severe COVID-19 patients, that "due to its immunosuppressive effects, infection symptoms may worsen, so even if used for COVID-19 treatment, it must be taken only after consultation and prescription by a doctor."

The MFDS warned, "Chloroquine and Dexamethasone are prescription drugs administered according to a doctor's prescription," adding, "Purchasing and using them at pharmacies without a prescription carries the risk of serious side effects."

Regarding the sale of related drugs online through overseas direct purchase, the MFDS added, "There is a risk of counterfeit drugs, and online sales are clearly illegal."

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