A pharmacy tech holds a pill of Hydroxychloroquine at Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, on May 20, 2020.The US Department of Veterans Affairs has treated 1,300 veterans infected with the coronavirus disease with the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine.But there's evidence suggesting that the drug is not only ineffective but harmful to patients and is connected to heart complications and a higher risk of death.
The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19.The US Department of Veterans Affairs has given the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to 1,300 people infected with the coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, despite evidence that the medication is not only ineffective but could be harmful.
The revelation of the drug's use on veterans was made after Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer questioned the VA on its recent large order of the medication and its intended use of it, according toThe VA responded to the senator's inquiry and said the drug had been administered to about 1,300 of the 10,000 veterans that they are treating for the disease. The medication was also mainly given to veterans at the final stages of their life, according to the VA.