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, citing 'good stories' about its effectiveness.
However, medical professionals and government experts have expressed concerns about the safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in treating Covid-19. The US Food and Drug Administration has warned against giving the drug for either prevention or treatment of the virus, citing reported side effects including 'serious heart rhythm problems in patients with Covid-19.'
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described Trump's decision to take the drug as 'not a good idea', citing concerns about his age and weight. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the decision 'reckless', warning that it could give people false hope and cause them harm.
Trump's use of the drug has been approved by his White House physician, Sean Conley, who said that the potential benefits outweighed the risks. However, Conley's statement has been met with skepticism by some medical professionals, who argue that the drug is not a proven treatment for Covid-19.
