April 8, 2020 / By Hollie McKay | Fox News
It has become one of the most controversial words in the world: hydroxychloroquine.
For several weeks, the primarily anti-malaria drug has been touted by President Trump and others in the media as a vital aid in treating those suffering from coronavirus, given that there is not yet a Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment.
So is there any possible correlation between countries where the drug is routinely administered due to high malaria rates and lower cases of COVID-19? It’s too early to tell, medical professionals say, but it’s part of the investigation process.
“If you look [at the] countries where malaria is more prevalent and countries where COVID-19 infections are prevalent, you will find a striking difference. This correlation needs to be explored further as this is not just a mere coincidence,” Dr. David Nazarian, a Beverly Hills-based physician, diplomate at the American Board of Internal Medicine and founder of My Concierge MD, told Fox News.
The drug initially burgeoned on the scene with an FDA thumbs-up in 1955 and has been used as a proven remedy in the treatment of malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
After a very small preliminary study conducted in France in the early weeks of COVID-19, Trump and other physicians pinned it as an aid in preventing the virus’ cells from entering the body’s cells, thus possibly helping clear the infection sooner.
