ICMR Recommends Malaria Drug for Health workers, Household Contacts

COVID-19 task force releases advisory recommending Hydroxy-chloroquine, a malaria drug for the potential exposed individuals with corona virus

Finally, some good news for those already affected by the deadly COVID-19. On March 23, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the use of Hydroxy-Chloroquine for highly-exposed individuals that are already exposed to the Coronavirus.   

ICMR says the drug can only be given after the legal prescription of a registered medical professional to the asymptomatic healthcare workers and contact relatives of laboratory-confirmed cases and suspects. However, the dosage will differ depending upon the health status of the exposed individuals.  

ICMR adds that this chemical prophylactic drug is not recommended for children under the age of 15-years and for the people with retinopathy and those who have shown hypersensitivity to the drug. 

Hydroxy-chloroquine is a medication used to prevent and treat certain types of malaria among others and has been in use for over eight decades. The drug is shown to be effective against the coronavirus in the laboratory test. 

The advisory also suggests consulting a general physician if the recommended drug shows symptoms similar or other than COVID-19. 

As of 23rd March 2020, India has reported 415 confirmed infected individuals and 07 death cases as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. A total of 23 cured/discharged cases have also been reported so far.