|
 Hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets are used for the treatment of
malaria, lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, among others.
The tablet is not currently approved for use to treat COVID-19, the
respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, but is currently
under investigation as a possible treatment option.
U.S. President Donald Trump last week touted the malaria drugs, and
the country's Health and Human Services has listed the drug as a
medical resource subject to hoarding prevention measures.
This comes as hospitals in several big U.S. cities and other hot
virus spots sounded the alarm about a shortage of medicine, supplies
and trained staff as the cases rose to over 85,000. Over a thousand
have died from the disease.
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Several drugmakers, including Novartis, Bayer AG and Teva Pharmaceuticals
Industries Ltd, have also donated doses of malaria drugs.
"We are working with supply chain partners and wholesalers to help ensure swift
delivery to areas where it will provide the most benefit as the clinical trials
progress," said Abhay Gandhi, CEO of the U.S. unit of India's Sun Pharma.
(Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Sriraj
Kalluvila)
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