States Stuck With Hydroxychloroquine As Drug Shows No COVID-19 Benefits

About 28 million doses of hydroxychloroquine were distributed from the Strategic National Stockpile last month and states are wondering what to do with their excess supply since studies have cast doubt on the drug’s benefit as a COVID-19 treatment.

The excess supply flies in the face of what’s happening with the distribution of remdesivir, which is being handled by HHS and some donations by Gilead, the maker of the drug. Shortages nationwide have sparked outrage and sharp criticism from physicians and physician groups who protest that the distribution isn’t being handled fairly or equitably.

In the meantime, North Carolina, for instance, received 900,000 tablets of hydroxychloroquine from the stockpile, and noted that the supply can only be issued to hospitalized COVID-19 patients and is not available for other uses.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, the drug’s manufacturer, also gave 600,000 tablets to North Carolina, where distribution of the drug is not limited to COVID-19 patients and can be given to residents in long-term care settings for unrelated conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Amneal also donated 400,000 tablets to Connecticut, and the state’s Department for Consumer Protection said it is working to ensure that patients taking hydroxychloroquine for non-COVID purposes receive their prescriptions.

Texas received a donation of 100,000 tablets from Amneal and provided some to hospitals upon request. But the Department of State Health Services said it has seen a significant decrease in demand since its initial rollout and it is currently evaluating what to do with the remaining supply. — Jordan Williams