The debate over the effects of hydroxychloroquine on Covid-19 is agitating medicine. And while the scientific debate is not settled, sales of the drug "have doubled in recent days," said Dominique Martin, director general of the ANSM. On Europe 1, he claims that cases of "discomfort" and even suspicions of death have already been identified following the taking of the drug.

INTERVIEW

At the heart of many studies at the moment, the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients with Covid-19 divides the medical profession. "Even though it is not authorized outside the hospital, Plaquénil [non-commercial hydroxychloroquine] is however widely prescribed, obviously for the Covid", worries Dominique Martin, director general of the National Agency for Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) Wednesday on Europe 1.

"Daily sales doubled"

According to data analyzed by the ANSM, "daily sales" of hydroxychloroquine "have doubled in recent days," said Dominique Martin. For him, however, there is "no evidence of its effectiveness". "Its use (...), in particular in self-medication, can be dangerous. It is a drug with significant side effects which in certain fragile patients can lead to cardiac phenomena which can be serious", he warns.

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The ANSM has even been aware of "discomforts" that have arisen as a result of the consumption of this drug and of "cardiac disorders". "Three deaths" are also suspected. "Other information is coming up and we are under investigation to find out what exactly is," said Dominique Martin.

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"A risk of shortage" in the long term

Dominique Martin also said he feared "eventually a risk of shortage" which could deprive "patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis from their usual treatment".

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"We hope that the decree on Plaquénil which says that Plaquénil can only be used, to date, in the hospital, will work" to limit the consumption of the drug, concludes Dominique Martin.

Sales of Plaquénil could thus resemble that of paracetamol, which has already fallen sharply due to the restrictions put in place.