Read on Twitter
I'm not a fan of long Twitter threads but was asked by a friend to do so because of this hysteria around hydroxychloroquine. First of all here's my story on it today. Gives details on the stocking of the anti-malaria drug which has been touted as "miracle cure" for Covid. (1/7) https://twitter.com/livemint/status/1248484330524950529
Before we go popping it like some magic pill, let's be clear that there's only anecdotal evidence of its safety & efficacy. The most prominent research on it was thrashed by the publisher itself last week. There are 2 major trials underway, somethng I've mentioned in story. (2/7)
About Ipca Laboratories: I don't understand the hysteria around US FDA partially lifting its import ban of 4-5 years on its facilities. Some say it points to some weird double standard during pandemic. But the same was also done it in 2017 due to a shortage. PFA filing (3/7)
The exception for Ipca Laboratories' supply of hydroxychloroquine was lifted a few days later. (PFA 2nd filing) IMO, this is normal considering the scale of the pandemic. (4/7)
About HCQ availability in India: India produces 20 crore pills per month, consumes around 5-6 crore max, ind folks said. If Pharma cos keep 10 crore stock at any time that should be enough. (5/7)
I'm no doctor, but one told me that anecdotal evidence points to 5-6 day treatment for Covid-19. If I assume 3 pills/day, a case load of (God forbid) 10 lakhs would need 2.1 crore pills. Still less that what stock is. Again, I'm NOT a doctor & this isn't a prescription. (6/7)
Yes, we should be prepared with HCQ, lopinavir/ritonavir or stocks of whatever medicine that seems to work. But there's no point hoarding it. Let's try and first find the facts before going bonkers about this stuff. *thread ends* (7/7)
