Dr Matshidiso Moeti has said there is no evidence yet that chloroquine cures coronavirus as the drug is still undergoing clinical trials which may take some time.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said this on Thursday during an online media briefing.
According to her: “We are aware of some trials of the use of chloroquine in dealing with some previous coronaviruses, not this virus.
We are not aware of any evidence that demonstrates that this is one of the medicines that could be used but we can find out some more information about that.
“There is a number of ongoing trials of other medicines and we are awaiting the outcomes of those observations.
But for now, we are not aware of any conclusive evidence to show that chloroquine could be effective in treating this virus.”
President Trump yesterday said he has approved chloroquine phosphate for the treatment of coronavirus even without getting clearance from the Food and Drug Agency (FDA). The commissioner of the agency, Dr Hann yesterday took a step back from Donald Trump’s misleading statement. He said “although the drug has shown some promise, clinical trials are largely inconclusive and tests subjects are largely limited”.
Meanwhile, the news of chloroquine being used as cure for coronavirus has driven many to self medication and abuse of the old antimalarial drug. Earlier today, the Nigerian Health Blog reported that a man become unconscious from chloroquine overdose after using it as a prophylaxis for COVID-19. Also, Lagos state commissioner for health, Prof Akin Abayomi has raised alarm over the increasing case of chloroquine poisoning reported in our hospitals.
