Gov. Mike DeWine hinted that he might order more closures on Sunday while the Ohio Board of Pharmacy moved to prevent hoarding of a malaria drug that President Donald Trump has suggested could treat people with the coronavirus.
The spreading virus has infected more than 350 people, up more than 100 in a day, and more than 80 in hospitals, DeWine’s office said Sunday. Three people have died, his office reported.
A look at coronavirus-related developments in Ohio on Sunday:
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HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AND CHLOROQUINE
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy took an emergency 7-0 vote Sunday by telephone on a new regulation designed to prevent hoarding of hydroxychloroquine and a similar drug — chloroquine — that are sold around the world under a variety of brand and generic names.
They are malaria drugs that are seeing a surge in nationwide demand after Trump suggested they could treat people with the coronavirus, even though the federal government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said science does not support that idea.
Under the new regulation, pharmacists cannot dispense chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine or sell them for a COVID-19 diagnosis unless it fulfills various prescribing requirements, including a positive test result, and is limited to a 14-day supply. They are prohibited from selling the drugs for prophylactic use for the coronavirus.
Currently, there is no medicine specifically approved for treating COVID-19.
The board said the rule will ensure the drugs are dispensed appropriately to patients who rely on them to treat conditions such as malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
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