New Delhi (NVI): As coronavirus cases in the country keeps increasing, the national task force constituted by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) today recommended anti-malaria drug hydroxy-chloroquine to treat COVID-19 in high-risk population.
”The National Task force for COVID-19, constituted by Indian Council of Medical Research, has recommended the use of hydroxy- chloroquine as prophylaxis (preventive drug) of SARS-COV-2 infection for high risk population,” ICMR said in the statement.
The drug ’hydroxychloroquine’ is only recommended for healthcare workers who are treating coronavirus patients and a person staying/caring Household Positive patient, the advisory said.
”They can take HydroxyChloroQuine only for prevention. And for this there is enough stock in the country,” it added.
The advisory provides for placing the high risk population of asymptomatic Healthcare Workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID and the household contacts of laboratory confirmed cases under chemoprophylaxis with hydroxy chloroquine.
The protocol recommended by the National Task force also has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India for restricted use in emergency situations, ICMR said.
Meanwhile, issuing a set of guidelines for the use of hydroxy chloroquine drug, the Health Minsitry reiterated that the intake of the medicine should not in still sense of false security.
”The placing of healthcare workers under chemoprophylaxis should not instill a sense of false security. They should follow all prescribed public health measures such as frequent washing of hands, respiratory etiquettes, keeping a distance of minimum 1m and use of Personal protective equipment (wherever applicable), ” the Health Ministry said adding that they should self-monitor their health and report to health authorities immediately in the event of them becoming symptomatic.
”The high risk contacts of a positive case placed under chemo prophylaxis, should remain in home quarantine while on prophylactic therapy, ” the guidelines read.
”As recommended by the said Task Force, the drug should only be given on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner. The contraindications mentioned in the recommendations should strictly be followed, ” it said.
”Apart from the symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, breathing difficulty), if the person on chemoprophylaxis develops any other symptoms, he should immediately seek medical treatment of the medical practitioner who has prescribed the chemo prophylaxis, ” it added.
