This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
Published on May 21, 2020, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has sparked controversy with his recommendation to use chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, despite concerns over their safety and effectiveness.
According to preliminary studies in China and France, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have shown promise in treating the virus, but scientists insist that further testing is needed.
Trump has also been touting the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, even revealing that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine daily as a preventive measure.
However, experts warn that the widespread use of these drugs could lead to shortages for other patients who need them, and may even make people less inclined to observe stay-at-home measures.
"Chloroquine has clearly shown it does not do what we wanted it to in terms of treating the coronavirus. On the contrary, it leaves a legacy of side effects," said infectious disease specialist Jean Gorinchteyn of Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.
As the pandemic continues to spread in Brazil, with over 290,000 cases and nearly 19,000 deaths, experts say that under-testing means the real figures are probably much higher.
