Is Hydroxychloroquine Really a Game Changer in the fight against COVID-19?

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) that is an anti-malarial drug is seeing a huge surge in its demand owing to association with the treatment and prevention of COVID – 19 infections. However, there has been no significant clinical trial of the drug being efficient towards the treatment of coronavirus, also FDA’s approval is yet pending.

A research report by The Insight Partners states, “The drug that is alternatively known as Hydroxychloroquine sulfate along with its sister drug chloroquine (Aralen) is used for treating systemic lupus erythematosus, Q fever and other diseases with COVID-19 like symptoms.”

HCQ that is hugely been produced in India is facing a shortage due to a sudden rise in demand from all across the globe, especially after Donald Trump’s campaign. Trump had named the drug as a “Game Changer” in the fight against novel coronavirus.

In 2019 India had exported only $51 million worth of the HCQ drug, which is a very small share of the overall global pharma exports. There was a further dip in the number of HCQ been exported until Trump’s tweet on March 21 followed a wave with sales jumping by almost 19 percent.

Moreover, a few healthcare scientists are already using HCQ, along with the combination of the regular antibiotic azithromycin, as a possible treatment for Covid-19 infection. Moreover, the Indian government has recommended HCQ as a protective measure for healthcare workers and other individuals at high-risk to avoid contracting the infection.

On the Contrary, Dr Anthony Fauci, an infectious disease expert of the White House had countered all such calls for the usage of the drug. He also recommends controlled clinical trials of Hydroxychloroquine to check its effectiveness and till then wide usage needs to be avoided.

Nevertheless, the global Hydroxychloroquine market is still anticipated to witness remarkable growth in upcoming months itself as the drug is like a straw to a drowning man. Therefore to save life and livelihood from deadly novel coronavirus governments have started taking drastic measures towards the supply and demand of the medicine.

Additionally, the number of deaths in India due to malaria was seen drastically declining after the arrival of HCQ. That is another key factor that attracts the attention of healthcare professionals towards the drug and its market.