Govt revises advisory to use Hydroxychloroquine for asymptomatic health care, frontline workers

Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR has said that consuming the anti-malarial drug- Hydroxychloroquine reduces the chances of getting infected with the coronavirus. ICMR has issued the revised advisory on the use of Hydroxychloroquine. The Joint Monitoring Group including experts from top research bodies and hospitals reviewed the prophylactic use of Hydroxychloroquine in the context of expanding it to healthcare and other front line workers deployed in non-Covid and Covid areas, respectively.

The National Taskforce constituted by ICMR for Covid-19, also reviewed the use of Hydroxychloroquine for prophylaxis of coronavirus infection for high-risk population based on the emerging evidence on its safety and efficacy, reported AIR.

A study of 334 healthcare workers at AIIMS, New Delhi also showed that those taking Hydroxychloroquine had lower incidence of covid-19 infection. Based on the available evidence, it has been suggested that Hydroxychloroquine is relatively safe and has some beneficial effect. ICMR recommended that the drug has to be given under strict medical supervision with informed consent. It has also been advised to consult with a physician for any adverse effect of this drug.