Despite a personal endorsement and use by President Donald Trump, the Food and Drug Administration on Monday revoked its emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine as a way to treat the Coronavirus, as the feds say the side effects caused by the drug outweigh any benefits of its use.
In a statement, the FDA said it had "determined that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19."
"Additionally, in light of ongoing serious cardiac adverse events and other potential serious side effects, the known and potential benefits of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine no longer outweigh the known and potential risks for the authorized use," the statement added.
In a statement, FDA officials said "hydroxychloroquine showed no benefit on mortality or in speeding recovery" for those with the Coronavirus, as the agency cited a 'rigorous assessment' by government scientists.
Based on continued review of scientific data, FDA has determined that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are unlikely to be effective in treating #COVID19 and therefore we are revoking the emergency use authorization for these drugs: https://t.co/k9kJMeci0a pic.twitter.com/W2aItvFcBU
— FDA Drug Information (@FDA_Drug_Info) June 15, 2020
NEW: The FDA today removed its energency authorization of hydroxychloroquine that under political pressure was issued in March.
— Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) June 15, 2020
It didn’t work & caused heart attacks.
Most often used as an anti-malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine has become the subject of a giant political tussle in recent months, with the President and some conservative Republicans recommending its use, while critics say it smacks of medical quackery.
At the White House on Monday, the President expressed bewilderment again about critics of the drug.
“I can't complain about it,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “It took it for two weeks, and I'm here - here we are. And we've had some great studies.”
Pres. Trump, HHS Sec. Alex Azar pressed on FDA's decision today to revoke emergency authorization for hydroxychloroquine—the anti-malarial drug touted and self-administered by Trump—to treat COVID-19. https://t.co/1C2wLRCe3O pic.twitter.com/qJ5AzIYVx0
— Shakthi Vadakkepat (@v_shakthi) June 15, 2020
But while other countries have promoted the drug, the FDA has resisted its use.