This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
US President Donald Trump has sparked concerns after announcing that he is taking hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug, as a preventative measure against Covid-19. The announcement was made on May 18, 2020, as the US death toll from the virus approached 90,000.
Trump, who has tested negative for the virus and shows no symptoms, said he has been taking the drug for about a week and a half. He claimed that he combines the drug with zinc, which he believes has antiviral properties.
"I take a pill every day," Trump said, adding that he has heard "a lot of good stories" about the drug's effectiveness. However, government experts have warned that hydroxychloroquine has not been shown to be safe for treating Covid-19.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed concern about Trump's decision, saying it's "not a good idea" for him to be taking the drug. She noted that Trump is in a high-risk age group and has a weight-related health issue.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump's decision "reckless," saying it gives people false hope and can cause them trouble. Trump's White House physician, Sean Conley, said he had agreed to Trump using the anti-viral drug after discussing the pros and cons.
Trump's use of hydroxychloroquine has been met with skepticism by medical experts, who warn that the drug can cause serious side effects, including heart rhythm problems. The Food and Drug Administration has only authorized emergency use of the drug under temporary rules.
