FDA revokes emergency use authorization of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

In a significant development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday revoked the emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19 patients, amid growing evidence that it doesn’t work and can cause side effects.

The authorization was first issued in March, and the drug was administered to patients hospitalised with the illness and those in clinical trials.

The FDA said that it will not affect clinical trials, which are expected to continue.


Hydroxychloroquine first gained attention as a potential Covid-19 treatment in February, when some studies suggested it might be useful against the virus.

US President Donald Trump too pushed its use, even saying in May that he was taking the medicine, despite any evidence it would work.

The decades-old drug is traditionally used to treat malaria and certain autoimmune conditions, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.