COLUMBUS – State and federal authorities are vowing to crack down on doctors and pharmacists who provide prescriptions for two malaria drugs that have been touted as possible treatments for coronavirus but with insufficient testing to back up the claim.
Chloroquine and a similar drug, hydroxychloroquine, have shown encouraging signs in very small and early tests. But the drugs have major side effects.
Scientists say major studies are needed to prove the drugs are safe and effective when used for purposes other than those approved now.
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy has issued an emergency rule prohibiting druggists from filling prescriptions for the drugs for those hoping to ward off the COVI-19 virus for fear a rush to get the medicine will create a shortage affecting those people who need them to treat rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Justin Herdman and David DeVillers, U.S. Attorneys for the Northern and Southern District of Ohio respectively, and state Attorney General David Yost issues a joint statement promising to to enforce the rule.
“Where we find doctors or others who are abusing their professional licenses to help themselves or associates, we will move swiftly to identify and prosecute any wrongdoing that is a violation of federal or state law. We are committed to pursuing all remedies to address misconduct associated with the allegations leading to the Board of Pharmacy action, including seeking criminal penalties where appropriate” – joint statement from the United States Attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio and the Ohio Attorney General
The board’s rule states that “no prescription for chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine may be dispensed by a pharmacist or sold at retail by a licensed terminal distributor of dangerous drugs” unless the prescription bears a written diagnosis code from the prescriber.
If a prescription is written for a COVID-19 diagnosis, the diagnosis must be confirmed by a positive test result documented on the prescription. Then, the prescription is limited to no more than a 14-day supply, and no refills may be permitted without a new prescription.
Prescriptions for either “presumptive positive” patients or to prevent coronavirus is prohibited without the board’s approval.