Potential of different medicines for use in treating Covid-19
A letter from NHS England, sent on 27 March, said –
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is considering carefully all available evidence around the potential of different medicines for use in treating Covid-19.
Clinical trials are ongoing and being developed to assess the benefits of a number of different medicines in treating Covid-19. Further medicines may be trialled, should evidence indicate to DHSC this would be appropriate. Suppliers of medicines being tested have been asked to monitor requests and restrict orders in line with historic ordering requirements.
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine should be used only as part of a clinical trial for the treatment of Covid-19, and we ask pharmacists and GPs to support this message and restrict prescriptions and supply to those with current clinical need for licensed indications or as part of a clinical trial.
Source: NHS England, Preparedness update letter for general practice: 27 March 2020 [published 27 March]
