UNITED STATES−New York Governor Andrew Cuomo banned the Food and Drug Administration approved drug, hydroxychloroquine, as a potential cure for COVID-19.
According to News Day, Cuomo placed bans on the state of New York restricting doctors from prescribing chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for treatment of COVID-19. The drug may only be used for patients in state-approved clinical trials and FDA-approved uses as an anti-malarial or autoimmune treatment. In addition, there is only a 14-day supply with no refills.
On an April 1, during a Fox News interview, Dr. Oz announced that he asked Governor Cuomo to reconsider the ban on hydroxychloroquine. “I suspect there were concerns for the folks with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus who are dependent on chloroquine and couldn’t get it,” Dr. Oz told Sean Hannity.
“I think Cuomo passed that law to prevent people from taking it and putting it in their cupboards, just in case,” added Dr. Oz. “I have more confidence in Americans than that. It’s an old malaria drug. We’ll have enough of it. We ought to lift the ban.”
Governor Cuomo has been providing daily news briefings for residents via https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.
“We are going to fight every way we can to save every life we can. That’s what it means to be an American. That’s what it means to be a New Yorker,” tweeted Cuomo.
According to reports, Governor Steve Sisolak of Nevada signed an executive order on March 24, limiting the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus patients as well.
Brand new research on hydroxychloroquine shows more positive signs that it could be a treatment for #covid19. pic.twitter.com/kdau5rJqOw
— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) April 1, 2020
Dr. Fauci stated during a White House briefing on March 20 that “For clarity, there is no magic drug for coronavirus right now, which you would agree. I guess, on this issue then.”
The Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported upon diagnostic testing and positive results after Dr. Fauci’s initial response.
Canyon News contacted the CDC and Prevention and was provided documentation about hydroxychloroquine. The FDA provided Canyon News with links to public information and press releases regarding regulatory diagnostic testing as well.
