In recent weeks, the federal government indicated that hydroxychloroquine would soon be in short supply nationwide. In response, Utah purchased 20,000 doses to ensure individuals suffering from autoimmune conditions would not face a shortage of the drug they depend on. #utpol

Since that initial purchase, state officials have engaged in ongoing conversations with pharmaceutical supplier Meds in Motion to purchase approximately 200,000 additional treatments of hydroxychloroquine. To date, no contract has been signed to purchase the additional doses.

H.B. 4001 allots $6 million for securing a supply of drugs for treatment of COVID-19. This is in addition to $2 million included in the passage of S.B. 3001 in last week’s legislative meetings.

While the funds could be used for HCQ, they could also be used for other potential treatments as well and is not limited to any one particular drug. The funding enables state agencies to pursue potential treatments to help treat patients and lessen the impact of COVID-19.

The FDA recently issued an Emergency Use Authorization to permit the use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
The Uof U and IHC are currently conducting clinical studies on hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

HCQ has been safely used for over 70 years to treat conditions such as malaria, lupus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
While it has shown promise in some cases in treating COVID-19, the drug is also relied on by individuals who suffer from autoimmune diseases and arthritis.

In recent weeks, the federal government had indicated that the drug HCQ would soon be in short supply nationwide. FEMA is working to secure and distribute a national supply of hydroxychloroquine and may split the cost with states.

Utah’s COVID-19 numbers are low compared to other states. Because of those favorable numbers, the feds indicated harder hit states would be prioritized above Utah in the distribution of resources and recommended the state acquire supplies if they had the opportunity to do so.

Utah has explored the benefits of acquiring a supply while it is available. Others were involved with various entities including, Silicon Slopes, UDOH, Meds in Motions, Utah Medical Association, Worker Compensation Fund and others to work on a plan to receive and distribute HCQ.

This plan did not materialize. UDOH continued discussions to procure hydroxychloroquine from Meds in Motion. Discussion on the actual procurement and cost were done without members of the legislature involved.

Utah has purchased 20,000 doses of hydroxychloroquine, but no contract has been signed to purchase additional doses. UDOH continues to elevate the projected need, stockpile and cost to determine what is best for Utah.

H.B. 4001 proposes to allocate $6 million for “treatment drug stockpile” in addition to the $2 million included that was allocated in S.B. 3001 last week.
While the funds could be used for drugs likeHCQ, they could be used for other potential treatments as well.

The funding is intended to enable state agencies to pursue potential treatments to help treat patients and lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Stay Safe, Stay Home initiative is not a long term solution to the current health crisis. During an unprecedented global health crisis, the UDOH is trying to prepare for a potential increase in cases and for various situations.