COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupts Hydroxychloroquine Drug Supply

(Photo: Jukka Niittymaa)

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A new study has found that rheumatic patients in South East Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are facing a hard time in securing medication for their treatment because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hydroxychloroquine is a highly vouched drug for COVID-19 treatment and is used by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus for their malaria treatment.

McMaster Center for Transfusion Research's doctoral student, and lead author of the study, Emily Sirotich said that hydroxychloroquine is an indispensable treatment for RA and lupus, reports of drug shortages for antimalarials became a major concern. She added that the study aims to aim to assess the pervasiveness of and impact of drug shortages amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and whether the use of antimalarial drugs in patients with rheumatic disease was linked with an inferior risk of COVID-19 infection.

American College of Rheumatology in a statement said that patients who could not access the antimalarial drugs for their treatment due to disruption of supply in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic are facing the worst mental and physical health result.

Result of the Study

Researchers of the study carried out a survey that includes 9,393 respondents, and according to the data gathered, 3,872 are taking antimalarial drugs. At the same time, 230 said that they couldn't continue medication because of its unavailability or limited supply in their local pharmacy.

The study revealed that the shortage of antimalarial drug supply had affected South East Asia and Africa, with the result of 26.7 percent and 21.4 percent. The United States and Europe garnered 6.8 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively, reported that they weren't able to get their medication because of the shortage in supply.

The study also found out that patients taking antimalarial drug and those who do not use them have the same number of coronavirus infections. They added that 28 COVID-19 positive patients who also take antimalarial drugs are admitted to the hospital.

What is Hydroxychloroquine?

According to WebMD, Hydroxychloroquine is used to prevent malaria caused by mosquito bites and is also used to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. American College of Rheumatology said that this drug could diminish the pain in and swelling of arthritis and swelling. They added that it might decrease or prevent joint damage and reduce the risk of long-term disability. They emphasized that it is still not clear why this medicine has effectivity in treating autoimmune disease, but it is believed to interfere with the communications of cells in the body. Medline Plus said that side effects of this might include headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting, and rash.

Health Organizations and Hydroxychloroquine

Earlier in the year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) canceled the emergency use authorization that allows Hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate to be used as a treatment for some admitted patients of COVID-19 when a clinical trial is unavailable, and the participation in the clinical trial is not feasible.

It is also remembered that World Health Organization (WHO) announced to stop the Hydroxychloroquine arm of the Solidarity Trial in finding an effective COVID-19 medication because the data from the solidarity shows that the UK's recovery trial showed that the drug does not result in the reduction of mortality among COVID-19 positive patients, compared to the standard care.

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