BioCentury
ARTICLE | Product Development

FDA’s authorization of malaria drugs for COVID-19 looks like political science

Editor’s Commentary: Why FDA's authorization of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for COVID-19 is bad for patients

March 31, 2020 10:05 PM UTC
Updated on Apr 7, 2020 at 4:28 AM UTC

FDA’s decision to grant Emergency Use Authorization for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat COVID-19 was unnecessary and unwise.

The EUA was unnecessary because the drugs are approved in the U.S. to treat malaria and for other uses. Physicians who believe the evidence for safety and efficacy outweighs the risks can prescribe either drug for COVID-19 on an off-label basis. ...