Washington (AFP)
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.
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 hopes (...) and can even put them in danger," he said on MSNBC.
The White House tenant also said he had "no symptoms" of the Covid-19. He said he was tested very regularly and all of his tests so far had been negative.
At the same time as the American president made this unexpected announcement, the Johns Hopkins University, which refers, announced that the United States had crossed the 90,000 mark linked to Covid-19 on Monday.
- "Used for 40 years" -
For several months, Donald Trump has been very enthusiastic about the possible effects of this drug to fight against the new coronavirus.
"It's very exciting. I think it could be a game-changer. Or maybe not. But from what I've seen, it could be a game-changer," he said in mid-March.
In front of journalists, Mr. Trump explained at length on Monday his choice to use this medicine as a preventive measure. "You would be surprised to find out how many people are taking it, especially those on the front line. Before you catch it (the virus)," he said.
"It won't hurt me," he said. "It has been used for 40 years for malaria (...) Many doctors take it".
The president of the first world power stressed that it was a personal initiative but that he had obtained the green light from the White House doctor.
"I told him: what do you think? He replied: if you wish. I said: yes, I would like it."
Proof that he was happy with his surprise effect, the former New York businessman himself had fun with his announcement in front of the journalists. "I was waiting to see your eyes light up when I said that ... Yes, I've been taking it for a week and a half and I'm still here!"
In the evening, White House doctor Sean Conley confirmed that after "many discussions" with the Republican billionaire, it had been concluded that "the potential benefits of this treatment outweigh the relative risks" .
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have been used for years to treat malaria, certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
According to a study published ten days ago in the New England Journal of Medicine, administration of hydroxychloroquine did not significantly improve or deteriorate the condition of critically ill patients with coronavirus.
Funded by the American Institutes of Health (NIH), the observational study was conducted on Covid-19 patients admitted to the emergency departments of New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
© 2020 AFP