Trump says he is taking controversial anti-malarial drug
US President Donald Trump said Monday he is taking daily doses of an anti-malarial as a preventative measure against the new coronavirus, even as studies have warned the drug may be ineffective and can cause heart problems in some patients.
The president aggressively pushed the usage of hydroxychloroquine for patients for weeks during the peak of the US pandemic, even though there has never been any concrete scientific evidence to back its efficacy.
As the infection rates began to level off, he stopped touting the drug as often. At the same time, the White House was anyway shifting its message away from the medical side of the outbreak and towards economic recovery.
The US drug regulator has warned about using the drug outside of clinical trials or certain hospital settings. Trials are still ongoing to gauge whether the drug has any uses for a coronavirus.
“I take a pill every day,” Trump said during a business event at the White House, in what appeared to be a spontaneous declaration. “I’ve taken it for about a week and half now and I’m still here.”
Two weeks ago, a personal valet working for the president tested positive for coronavirus and days later the press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence was confirmed to have contracted the illness as well, raising concerns about a spread within the administration.
Asked why he is on the medication, the president answered: “I take it because I hear very good things.” He said he would stop taking it some point, but indicated he wants to see a vaccine or a confirmed treatment available.
He added that he wants to be transparent. “I just want to be open with the American public,” he said, while insisting the drug will not cause negative effects.
Conceding that the pill may not have a positive impact, he said: “But if it doesn’t, you’re not going to get sick or die.”
Trump said he has no symptoms and is tested for coronavirus every few days by the White House.
He said he is taking the pills in consultation with the White House doctor, though noted he raised it with the medic on his own initiative. He said he was also taking zinc.
Read also: Pompeo warns China over interference with U.S. journalists in Hong Kong
The anti-malarial drug has been touted in some circles – often among conservatives – as both a possible preventative measure and also a means to lessen symptoms and help patients recover from the virus.
At least one clinical trial had to be stopped because the doctors felt the continued use of hydroxychloroquine by some patients could have adverse effects and was not justifiable. (dpa)
