The Ministry of the Armed Forces acknowledged, Friday, April 24, having bought chloroquine to build up a stock "as a precaution", if this treatment was finally validated by the health authorities.

"In a context of strong tensions in the supply of raw materials for pharmaceutical use, the Ministry of the Armed Forces made a precautionary purchase, if ever chloroquine proved to be validated by the health authorities as being useful in the fight against Covid-19" said the ministry.

On Thursday, a video that had gone viral had been published on social networks showing a delivery of barrels labeled "chloroquine phosphate" from China to the French army.

The French infectious disease specialist Didier Raoult has advocated since the beginning of the epidemic the use of hydroxychloroquine (derivative of chloroquine, a drug against malaria, Editor's note) to combat Covid-19.

Possible risks for patients, especially cardiac

Some doctors, some countries and elected officials call for widely administering this drug. But a large part of the scientific community and health organizations are calling for a rigorous scientific validation, warning of the possible risks for patients, especially those with heart disease.

Pending the results, France has adopted a cautious position: hydroxychloroquine is authorized in hospitals only, and only for severe cases.

Asked about these purchases during his daily update on the Covid-19 epidemic, the Director General of Health, Jérôme Salomon, explained Friday evening "not to have to comment on the decisions of the Ministry of the Armed Forces".

The video published on social networks Thursday shows the delivery of barrels from China is accompanied by a male voice which affirms that these barrels contain a total of "70 kg" and shows an order form for the "central pharmacy" armies". He took the opportunity to affirm that we treat the soldiers with these drugs and joke about those who make fun of Professor Raoult.

The ministry confirms that this delivery indeed comes from China and that it is indeed "salt or phosphate of chloroquine which allows the development of an injectable form". However, it does not confirm the quantity of product ordered.

With AFP

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