Chennai: With the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of United States stating that the hydroxychloroquine used in the treatment of Covid-19 has side effects, sources said that there are high chances that the medicine which was exported from India might be sent back to the country.
It is said that just like how faulty test kits from China were sent back, the same might be the case with the condition of the pills sent from India.
While it is argued that the returning of the medicines will dent India’s image, people also say that this would result in a huge loss to our pharma companies. However, a few others say there are very little chances for the medicines to be returned.
“The report of the drug having side effects is based on a few tests. Some reports claim that the drug can be taken with proper medical monitoring and also be given to health workers. Not everyone who use the medicine develop side affects and it is the duty of the doctor that the medicine is prescribed properly,” said Tamilnadu Medical Council, former head, M Balasubramanian.
He further said that this scenario cannot be compared with the returning of the faulty test kits to China.
“Countries including the US ordered the pills based on studies. We have sent them the medicines with the specific combination that was requested. There is no fault with the quality of the medicine for it to be returned. It can still be given to those who have less chances of developing side effects,” he said.
He further said even if the medicines return, it will not have any major impact.”In fact we will be more than happy to receive the medicines back as we can use them here,” he added.
On the other hand, a pharma executive said, “only based on the urgent request of other countries, we manufactured the medicine in large quantities and shipped it to them. If it is returned, it would result in huge losses.”
The FDA on Friday warned that doctors should not use the malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxycholoroquine to treat covid-19 patients outside a hospital or a clinical trial as it may lead to serious heart rhythm problems. Demand for the medicines increased after US President Donald Trump promoted the use of the drug and said that it is a potential ‘game changer’.
The FDA, in its drug safety communication, said hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have been linked to abnormal heart rhythms such as QT interval prolongation, dangerously rapid heart rates called ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, and in some cases, death.
The agency said the medications should be used only in settings where patients can be closely watched for cardiac problems. QT prolongation refers to an extension of the split-second time required for the heart to recharge between beats.