Nigeria records chloroquine poisoning after Trump endorses it

Overdose of Chloroquine in Nigeria

Three people have succumbed to Nigeria from an overdose of chloroquine. The people consumed the drug to cure coronavirus following president Trump’s remarks on its effectiveness. Other patients are still in recovery in Lagos hospital. Health officials cautioned the public against using chloroquine for the novel virus.

Trump endorses chloroquine for coronavirus treatment.

During a briefing last week in the white house, the US president stated that the Food and Drug Administration approved chloroquine potent enough to treat corona. “It’s shown very encouraging — very, very encouraging early results. And we’re going to make that drug available almost immediately. And that’s where the FDA has been so great. They’ve gone through the approval process; it’s been approved. And they did it they took it down from many, many months to immediate. So, we’re going to be able to make that drug available by prescription or states,” Trump said.

He added: “Normally the FDA would take a long time to approve something like that, and it’s — it was approved very, very quickly and it’s now approved, by prescription.”

The FDA stated after the briefing that they were still studying the drug and still yet to confirm its effectiveness. Hence, they had not recommended its use.

Inflation

Trump’s advocacy for the drug triggered a surge of interest as the Nigerians braced up to stock the medicine. Leading to inflation. A man told CNN that he witnessed the drug price rising by over 400% in a matter of minutes. The pharmacists endorsed the drug-using President Trump’s remarks. As many people bought, the price kept fluctuating. The drug initially cost 200 nairas, however, it changed to 500, then 1000. Lagos State Health Ministry issued a statement that there was no hard evidence in favor of the drug’s effectiveness. Chloroquine is effective in curing malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. However, for corona, it’s a no.

Lack of clinical evidence to prove the effectiveness of Chloroquine in curing corona.

Health officers in China and the US experimented with the drug on corona patients. There is not yet enough clinical evidence to determine its effectiveness in the control and management of the virus. Doctor Michel Yao, Africa Emergency Response program Manager of WHO, told CNN that it’s early to make conclusions. Especially since 20 drugs are under clinical trial. Making recommendations was too soon.

Basing his argument on the WHO guidelines, any medication is centered on evidence. They have gathered no evidence so far, hence no recommendations yet. It’s too soon using chloroquine as a medication for corona.

Side effects of using chloroquine.

Fabunm told CNN at one time when he used chloroquine to treat malaria. There were rashes all over his body. He could crave a bath because they were severely itchy. The drug is also very bitter. Especially when it drops in one’s mouth. The awful taste will last for long. Fabunm however, didn’t forget to collect his batch of chloroquine especially since Nigeria has reported 30 cases.