Experimental Coronavirus Treatment Causing Chloroquine Shortage for People with Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis

An experimental treatment for the coronavirus hyped by President Trump uses the anti-malarial drug chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, which is causing a nationwide shortage for people who the drug is typically administered to in the United States, reports WUSA9 . Trump announced on March 20 that he thought chloroquine could be a short-term solution to treating people with COVID-19 until a cure can be developed, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Sunday issued an emergency authorization for the experimental use of chloroquine to treat the pathogen. The Department of Health and Human Services also added chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to the roster of necessary medical resources subject to federal hoarding prevention measures. People with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are usually prescribed chloroquine, and sufferers say the drug is essential for maintaining their quality of life. However, researchers cite a lack of conclusive clinical evidence of the drug's broad effectiveness against COVID-19. "We've never done a clinical trial, so we have to be careful," said National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci.