Coronavirus: Don't Use Hydroxychloroquine For COVID-19 Without Prescription, Says Health Ministry

In view of the panic across the country due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday stated that people should not buy Hydroxychloroquine as it has side effects. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said his administration was working to get access to hydroxychloroquine after the studies in France and China suggested that it can help patients suffering from the Covid-19 illness.

During the press conference, Union health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal said, "There's a medicine - Hydroxychloroquine. It is only for specific use for health care workers. No one else should use this." 

Giving an update on the coronavirus patients in India, Lav Aggarwal said, "Total number of positive COVID-19 cases rise to 606 in the country including 553 active cases, 42 cured/discharged people and 10 deaths."

"As far as PPEs and masks are concerned, most of these have some imported components. There had been a disruption in the import of certain components required for PPEs-masks. The government has been aware of the situation from the time cases started happening in other parts of world," he added.

The health ministry joint secretary further noted that the government has prohibited the export of masks-PPEs as early as January 31. "We prohibited export of masks-PPEs as early as 31st Jan. We have also started analysing the technical guidelines concerning what type of PPEs can be put to use based on the type of virus. We have started analysing the suppliers available in India," he said.

"We are taking their support to ensure that we can get production through these indigenous buyers also. We have even contacted DRDO and BEL and we are taking support of all such agencies to see that we have sufficient availability in India," the secretary concluded.

Also Read: Coronavirus | Mahabharat Was Won In 18 days, We Will Win War Against COVID-19 In 21 days: PM Modi

Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed over 17,000 lives with over 3.5 lakh people infected in over 120 countries. It is to be noted that with no known cure so far for the coronavirus, the deadly disease has become a major issue for the entire world.

RELATED