Yahoo News Coronavirus: Trump denies investing in hydroxychloroquine as FDA proceeds with trials
President Donald Trump has denied having any investments in the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which he has consistently presented as reliable treatment for Covid-19.
Asked as he was leaving his latest coronavirus briefing whether he has any financial interest in the drug, the president replied: “No I don’t. Good question.”
A less toxic derivative of chloroquine, the drug has yet to be fully approved by the FDA for use with Covid-19 patients, although its use has been permitted under a so-called “emergency use authorisation”.
However, even that clearance has proved controversial, with reported shortages of the drug affecting patients with conditions like lupus who take the drug on a regular, approved basis.
As recently as late March, some doctors and drug experts were vigorously rejecting Mr Trump’s persistent enthusiasm for both chloroquine and hydroxychloroqine, some calling it “insane” and “egregious”.
Mr Trump also praised the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, for selling him the drug. “I bought millions of doses of it. More than 29m. I spoke to prime minister Modi, a lot of it comes out of India. I asked him if he would release it? He was great. He was really good.”
However, just days before, Mr Trump said at another briefing that the US would “retaliate” if India did not agree to release its stocks for sale.
Read more
Tracking the coronavirus outbreak around the world in maps and charts
When can we really expect coronavirus to end?
Everything you need to know on supermarket delivery slots
The dirty truth about washing your hands
Listen to the latest episode of The Independent Coronavirus Podcast
