TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — On Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more hydroxychloroquine is coming to Florida in a news briefing focused on the drug.
DeSantis saying he’s worked with Amneal Pharmaceuticals to secure a million more doses.
The medication is set to arrive in Tallahassee on Wednesday and will then be sent to hospitals across the state. It follows two previous shipments from another pharmaceutical company.
Researchers are still working to determine if the drug leads to better COVID-19 patient outcomes.
Dr. Carlos Campo, the head of a Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare ICU, explained why it might make sense to try the treatment before getting conclusive results.
"You’re not going to necessarily wait for the results of the clinical trial if you have some data, not just in the lab, but in communities where the drug has been used that there may be a benefit," said Campo. "Of course, the benefit needs to outweigh the risk."
Campo said some of the risks of the medication include heart arrhythmia. He urged people not to try the drug without a physician’s recommendation.
