BREAKING NEWS –

Ohio is banning the use of  hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 beginning Thursday, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

ODH Press Secretary Melanie Amato said the drug is not an effective treatment for COVID-19. She stated that Board of Pharmacy rule 4729:5-5-21 of the Administrative Code will go into effect Thursday, banning its distribution.

The rule prohibits selling or dispensing hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19.

The ODH announcement comes just days after new information was made public about the success of hydroxychloroquine – actually calling it a cure for COVID-19.

Medical professionals attending an America’s Frontline Doctors Summit in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Monday addressed the media and the U.S. public about the country’s fight against COVID-19 and a few, including Dr. Stella Immanuel, spoke out against the current accepted virus treatment and the need to wear masks.

Video of Immanuel speaking quickly went viral as she talked about her experience treating COVID-19. She called it a cure for the virus.

This position is in contrast to the safety issues raised by the FDA, which has cautioned against using hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients.

Watch the video. 

The video was quickly banned across social media platforms.

The Ohio Department of Health purchased two million of doses of the drug earlier this year and later was given two millions more doses by an Ohio drug-maker. None of which has been dispensed to the public for use, say sources.

About 22 states bought up large quantities of the drug – some 30 million doses, saying they wanted to have a supply on hand.

Shortly thereafter, the Food and Drug Administration announced that hydroxychloroquine is not effective against COVID-19 and advised doctors not to prescribe it.

Ohio reportedly spent $602,629 on hydroxychloroquine pills in early April. Capitol Wholesale Drug donated two million more doses to the state on April 20, worth a reported $680,000.

Amato said the ODH will be returning the donated medication to the drug maker. It has not been decided yet what will be done with the stockpiled medication that was purchased, said the press secretary.

Hydroxychloroquine has been around for decades. It is a quinoline medicine used to treat or prevent malaria. Numerous medical professionals believe it is effective in the treatment of COVID-19.

source: ohiostatehousenews