The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on March 29 accepted 30 million doses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate donated by Sandoz, the Novartis generics and biosimilars division, and one million doses of Resochin (medical grade chloroquine phosphate) donated by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, for possible use in treating patients hospitalized with COVID-19 or for use in clinical trials.

“Scientists in America and around the world have identified multiple potential therapeutics for COVID-19, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar.

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate and Resochin are oral prescription drugs approved to treat malaria and other diseases.

Although there are no currently approved treatments for COVID-19, both drugs have shown activity in laboratory studies against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Anecdotal reports suggest these drugs may offer some benefit in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Clinical trials are needed to provide scientific evidence that these treatments are effective.

A recent military study titled, Influenza vaccination and respiratory virus interference among Department of Defense personnel during the 2017–2018 influenza season, shows military personnel evaluated who received the flu vaccine were at 36 percent increased risk for coronavirus with varied benefit in preventing some strains of the flu.

The study highlights the value of the human body’s ability to fight against viruses.  Apparently, by contracting the flu, the body naturally may reduce the risk of non-influenza respiratory viruses. Due to the flu vaccine’s “interference” with the naturally occurring biological process, there may be an increased risk of contracting non-influenza viruses like the coronavirus.