The drug can still be prescribed for the treatment of certain lupus and rheumatism.

But the Medicines Agency refused Professor Raoult a temporary recommendation for use which would have allowed a broader prescription of hydroxychloroquine in the face of the coronavirus. 

DECRYPTION

No question of widely authorizing hydroxychloroquine in France against Covid-19: the Medicines Agency has decided.

She refuses Professor Didier Raoult a more extensive use of this molecule, which has still not proven its effectiveness, at least not against the coronavirus.

Europe 1 explains why. 

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Didier Raoult called for a temporary recommendation for use

This drug, sold in pharmacies under the name Plaquenil, has received marketing authorization for the treatment of certain lupus and rheumatism.

No problem there: nothing changes.

But in a letter dated August 3, Professor Didier Raoult requested a temporary recommendation for use (RTU) for hydroxychloroquine.

The latter would have made it possible to widely prescribe this molecule in the treatment of the coronavirus, and to be able to obtain reimbursement by social security.

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Increased side effects in patients with coronavirus

Why did the Health Security Agency say no?

In an eight-page letter addressed to Professor Raoult, the institution argues its position.

She first mentioned the fact that the side effects of this drug, in particular cardiac, appear to be increased in patients with coronavirus.

In addition, the lack of homogeneity in the clinical studies carried out since March (in Marseille, but also abroad) do not allow at this stage to conclude on the effectiveness of the treatment, according to her. 

In the current state of knowledge, this refusal of authorization therefore closes several months of controversy over hydroxychloroquine.

Even if the Medicines Agency specifies that in the event of new significant clinical results, it could review its position.