The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has approved the use of chloroquine as a drug of choice for treating Coronavirus cases in Nigeria.
This approval is coming about 14 years after its ban.
Addressing journalists on Friday in Lagos, the director General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the agency’s decision was premised on the findings of two clinical trials conducted in China and Minnesota in the United States recently.
It would be recalled that Chloroquine was banned by NAFDAC because it caused resistance in parasites when used used as antimalarial treatment.
“Four weeks ago, we called on May & Baker to see the Chloroquine could be manufactured for the Nigerian market. We know getting the APIs would be difficult. However I am happy to announce thatthe company has started producing the first batches two weeks ago.”
She however warned that the drug would be focused only on COVID-19 treatment and not as antimalarial.
“Chloroquine should not be used as antimalarial because the resistance level is so high. It wouldn’t work.It is strictly for those who tested for the virus.
Unfortunately in this clime, we know that people would always procure this type of drugs with or without prescription.”
