INSTANCES of self-prescribing of hydroxychloroquine to protect against COVID-19 are declining despite the claims of US President, Donald Trump, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) reports.
PSA National President, Dr Chris Freeman, described President Trump's assertions that health workers have been using the anti-malarial to ward off COVID-19 as "faux claims" adding "the last time I checked, Trump did not hold a pharmacy or medical degree".
"Currently, there is no compelling evidence to support either the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 infection using hydroxychloroquine," he said.
"Now is not the time to throw the principles of evidence-based medicine out the window for popular, but poorly-founded, thoughts and treatments of early promise."
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has called on patients not to use the drug unless prescribed it.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 22 May 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 22 May 20
