Coronavirus: Hopes raised for a cure as France authorises the use of Chloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19

THE Minister of Health in France has authorised the prescription of chloroquine for patients with coronavirus.  Plaquenil, derived from chloroquine, can now be delivered to patients with Covid-19, the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran said.

Prescription of the drug is now possible in the hospital, if the doctor deems it useful, without waiting for the results of the ongoing clinical trials.

“Hydroxychloroquine and the combination of lopinavir/ritonavir may be prescribed, dispensed and administered under the responsibility of a doctor to patients affected by Covid-19, in the healthcare establishments which take charge of them, as well as for the continuation of their treatment if their condition allows it and with the authorisation of the initial prescriber, at home.”

The decree of the Minister of Health also provides for the limitation of the dispensing of Plaquenil in pharmacies to its strict medical indications such as for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, and the prohibition of the export of specialties containing hydroxychloroquine, but also drugs containing the combination lopinavir/ritonavir, antivirals also tested against Covid-19.

Like all chloroquine medicines, Plaquenil can only be obtained with a prescription. This can indeed present risks if used without proper medical monitoring, risks, in particular, are damage to the heart and eyes.

The ANSM, which recalled the strict conditions for the supply of these drugs, asked the Sanofi (Plaquenil), Abbvie (Kaletra) and Mylan (generic Kaletra) laboratories to “deliver wholesalers-distributors as soon as possible and pharmacies.”