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HEALTH-VIRUS-CANADA
Canada warns against chloroquine use as coronavirus treatment
MONTREAL, April 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Canadian health authorities have
issued a warning against the use of anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and
hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus infections or prevent reinfections.
“Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can have serious side effects. These
drugs should be used only under the supervision of a physician,” Canada’s
public health agency said in a note posted Saturday on its website.
“Health Canada is concerned that some people may be directly buying and
using chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine to prevent or treat COVID-19,” it
said, noting they can cause “serious heart rhythm problems.”
The European Medicines Agency on Thursday issued a similar warning about
the drugs, whose promise as a coronavirus treatment has been touted by US
President Donald Trump.
BSS/AFP/MRU/2110hrs