STAFF REPORTER
KARACHI The Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan (MMIDSP) has advised against the inappropriate use and hoarding of Hydrochloroquine (HCQ) and Chloroquine. Senior infectious diseases experts, through the MMIDSP platform, here Thursday said published reports and consensus statements stemming from the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 have evaluated the potential usefulness of these drugs as part of treatment regime in critically ill patients. They, however, reiterated that no peer-reviewed treatment outcomes are available to-date nor is there any data on efficacy of HCQ and Chloroquine for prevention of COVID19 infection in healthcare workers or exposed household contacts. A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Prophylaxis Study (COPCOV) is set to start in April 2020, said the experts in a joint statement. It was mentioned that both HCQ and Chloroquine are associated with significant adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity, bone marrow suppression and risk of sudden death, especially when used with Azithromycin and many other medications that can affect heart rhythm. Irreversible visual impairment was further warned to may follow due to long-term unsupervised use of these medicines. HCQ and Chloroquine Puare widely used antimalarial drugs that elicit immunomodulatory effects which are also used to treat autoimmune conditions (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis). Mentioning that both these do have a new and emerging role in treatment of COVID-19 Pneumonia (Off-label) and a presumed role in prevention against COVID-19 infection people were advised never to ignore that these can only be used as therapeutic or prophylactic agent for COVID-19, under supervision of an expert. MMIDSP, with highly qualified infectious diseases physicians, clinical microbiologists and nurses (trained in infection prevention and control) was said to be committed to disseminate correct, upto-date information on emerging infections and their management
