United States President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that he was taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventative against coronavirus, in violation of recommendations by U.S. health officials. "I've been taking it for a week and a half (...) I take one pill a day," Trump said in an exchange with journalists at the White House, which sparked strong reactions in the scientific world. and political.
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Hydroxychloroquine has been used for a long time against malaria, but its possible efficacy against the coronavirus has so far not been demonstrated by any rigorous study. "I hear a lot of extraordinarily positive things" about this drug, said the Republican billionaire. "You know the expression: what do you have to lose?" In late April, the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) warned against using the antimalarial "outside of a hospital or clinical trial". In particular, she highlighted "the risk of heart rhythm disorders".
Asked about CNN, Nancy Pelosi, Democratic President of the House of Representatives, said it was "not a good idea". "He is our president and I would prefer that he not take something that has not been approved by scientists, particularly in his age category and, let's say, in his weight category, called morbid obesity", a she added.
Chuck Schumer, leader of the Democratic minority in the Senate, denounced "dangerous" statements. "It gives people false hope (...) and can even put them in danger," he said on MSNBC.