A study reveals prescriptions for anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) rose in the US from February to March. Researchers reveal the estimated number of hydroxychloroquine prescriptions increased 86.2 per cent from February to March, from 367,346 to 683,999 and dispensed chloroquine prescriptions increased 158.6 per cent rising from 2,346 to 6,066 prescriptions.
Data published in a research letter by the JAMA Internal Medicine found prescription rates for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were stable from October 2019 through February 2020. They noted that the increased prescriptions might not all be for Covid-19. However, they wrote, the sudden surge of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine prescriptions may have affected availability for patients prescribed the drugs for uses approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
In recent studies of Covid-19 patients, the drugs have largely not stacked up. A randomised clinical trial was halted by the National Institutes of Health after data showed hydroxychloroquine provided no benefit to Covid patients.
An investigation reveals a Bristol NHS hospital discharged hundreds of untested or formerly Covid positive patients into care homes. Data revealed by a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Bristol Live stated that Southmead Hospital transferred 213 untested patients into care homes in March and April without checking whether or not they were infected.
It added that another 20 who had tested positive “at some point during their stay” were sent to a care home without being re-tested prior to the move. The NHS was reportedly pushing to free up hospital beds for incoming Covid patients. The Boris Johnson-led government had said at the time that testing was not necessary on discharge.
The report found Southmead Hospital, ran by The North Bristol NHS trust, discharged 171 untested patients in March. The 20 patients who had tested positive “at some point during their stay” were from March 1 to April 15 before guidance changed. Meanwhile, another report revealed around 50 care homes were officially investigated by regulators during the Covid -19 crisis because of concerns they weren't safe.
