DESPITE the experimental use of drugs internationally to fight COVID-19, the Ministry of Public Health in Guyana is not participating in such experiments such as the use of the anti-malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine.

This was relayed to the media by Chairman of the National COVID-19 Taskforce (NCTF), Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday. On the global scale, COVID-19 treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials. Presently, most medical workers have been treating the many symptoms of the virus as a means of indirect mitigation.

International media have reported that the rush to find treatment for the virus has resulted in the use of hydroxychloroquine, leading to a shortage of the drug in the United States.

Researchers do not know whether hydroxychloroquine is actually good at fighting COVID-19 and the drug has its list of side effects and risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned on Friday that the drug could cause “serious heart rhythm problems,” often when combined with azithromycin and other QT prolonging medicine.

“We are also aware of increased use of these medicines through outpatient prescriptions. Therefore, we would like to remind health care professionals and patients of the known risks associated with both hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine,” the FDA said.
“Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have not been shown to be safe and effective for treating or preventing COVID-19…we will continue to investigate risks associated with the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for COVID-19 and communicate publicly when we have more information.”

On Thursday, the prime minister said that based on his interactions with the NCTF, inclusive of the Minister of Public Health, local medical institutions are not administering the drug in relation to COVID-19. “I’m not aware that there is any discussion in Guyana as regards a treatment of the coronavirus disease and I’m not aware that any prescription has been made for and inside Guyana as to any particular drugs or medicine that could be used in the treatment of the virus,” he said.

“We heard of the hydroxychloroquine being used experimentally in some other countries, particularly in the United States, and we’ve seen adverse comments being made…that it might have speeded up casualties in certain sections of the United States where the hydroxychloroquine had been administered together with azithromycin antibiotic.”
As of April 24, Guyana now has 73 confirmed cases; five persons in COVID-19 ICU; 17 in institutional quarantine and 54 in isolation; 12 persons have recovered; seven persons have died and 410 tests have been conducted with 337 returning negative.