Hydroxychloroquine Use Halted in Malaysia; Japan Approves remdesivir for COVID-19 Treatment
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In a shift in COVID-19 treatment protocols, Malaysia’s Health Ministry has ceased the use of hydroxychloroquine after studies indicated its ineffectiveness against the virus. Simultaneously occurring, Japan has approved Remdesivir for treating coronavirus patients, marking the country’s first approved treatment for the disease.
Malaysia Discontinues Hydroxychloroquine Treatment
The Health Ministry (MOH) in Malaysia has officially stopped administering the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to individuals infected with Covid-19. According to Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, this decision follows evidence suggesting the drug’s lack of efficacy in treating the virus. Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah noted that the drug was initially used “under the off-label category,” meaning its use was not based on established scientific studies for COVID-19.
“under the off-label category…[there] were no scientific studies”
Japan Approves Remdesivir
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Japan woudl soon approve the anti-viral drug Remdesivir for the treatment of coronavirus patients. This marks a important milestone as the country’s first approved treatment option during the pandemic. A government official, as reported by Kyodo News, indicated that the drug’s approval was expected as early as next month for treating patients with Covid-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Malaysia stop using hydroxychloroquine?
- Malaysia stopped using hydroxychloroquine as studies showed it was ineffective in treating COVID-19.
- What is Remdesivir?
- Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that has been approved for treating COVID-19 in some countries, including Japan. It effectively works by inhibiting the virus’s ability to replicate.
- Are antiviral drugs effective against COVID-19?
- Some antiviral drugs, like Remdesivir, have shown promise in reducing recovery time for COVID-19 patients.However, the effectiveness of different antivirals can vary.
