Stressing that it is not to be taken by everyone, senior
scientist at ICMR Raman R Gangakhedkar said the drug Hydroxychloroquine is only
being given to doctors and contacts of lab confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Hydroxychloroquine has been described as an essential drug by Health Ministry
to meet the requirements of any emergency arising due to COVID-19 pandemic and
its sale and distribution have been restricted.
When asked about ICMR’s official position on use of Hydroxychloroquine amid
various contradicting reports about it, Gangakhedkar, Head of Epidemiology and
Communicable diseases at the medical research body, said the organisation has
repeatedly conveyed that it is not recommended to be used by everyone.
“We have repeatedly said it is not to be used by everyone. It is being given to
doctors and contacts of lab confirmed cases. When their data will be complied
only then a call can be taken whether it should be recommended to everyone (who
is at risk),” he said.
ICMR has already recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive
medication for healthcare workers involved in the care of suspected or
confirmed cases of COVID-19 and also asymptomatic household contacts of
laboratory confirmed cases.
