On March 19, President Trump said a that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is making available experimental drugs – including some used for treating malaria – as part of the nation’s effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Trump said chloroquine, a drug designed to combat malaria, will be made available to test whether it helps patients recover from coronavirus. 

He said it was one of a number of antiviral therapies to limit the symptoms of the virus that the administration is trying to get to Americans as soon as possible.

“I have directed the FDA to eliminate rules and bureaucracy so work can proceed rapidly, quickly and fast,” Trump said. “We have to remove every barrier.”

FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said it would be allowed under what’s known “compassionate use” — where doctors can request to use the experimental drug and get permission from the FDA to give to patients. Hahn also said he didn’t want to give “false hope” but said he was hopeful about the treatments.