Festina lente: Hydroxychloroquine, COVID-19 and the role of the rheumatologist

Abstract

As of the end of March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 850 000 confirmed cases and an estimated 42 000 deaths worldwide. All agree that safe and effective therapies for treatment and prevention are urgently needed. In the midst of this rapidly progressing crisis, evidence has emerged suggesting that antimalarial medications, such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), may be efficacious for COVID-19 treatment. After amplification from politicians, news outlets and social media, a rush to acquire supplies of HCQ resulted in worldwide shortages. Recent government policies may have exacerbated these issues, where wider use in both COVID-19 treatment and prevention were authorised or recommended by India, the US Food and Drug Administration and other countries. In response to dwindling supplies, several US states have issued restrictions on HCQ use including limiting dispensation quantities and verifying indications...