US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he has been taking the controversial anti-malarial drug ‘hydroxychloroquine’ as a preventive measure and dismissed all medical warnings by saying that “I am still here”.
“A couple of weeks ago, I started taking it. I have heard a lot of good stories,” the US President said.
This drug is said to have certain dangerous side-effects including increased heart beats and palpitations.
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This comment by Trump immediately triggered a political row with the Democrats accusing him of spreading harm and killing science.
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said: “I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group and in his, shall we say weight group, morbidly obese, as they say”.
In India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has prescribed this drug as a preventive vaccine for front line health workers and those who are taking care of sick affected patients.
India exported 3.5 million HCQ tablets to the US and about nine tonnes of ingredients to manufacture it.
Many countries such as the US are already using it successfully.
However, it is to be used only after being prescribed by a medical practitioner.
Trump also said that he got the doctors in the White House to prescribe it to him.