Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin (Z-Pak) continue to show positive results for coronavirus patients

Over the past three weeks, we’ve been writing about hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin (Z-Pak) as potential treatment for coronavirus patients. Our stories were largely based on studies from scientists, researchers and reports from doctors working in the front line. However, here in the United States, federal health agencies urged the public to remain cautious until larger clinical trials validate smaller studies.

Finally, the good news we have all been waiting for came yesterday after the FDA issued emergency use authorization of anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine for treatment of coronavirus patients. In a statement published Sunday, the US Department of Health and Human Services detailed recent donations of medicine to a national stockpile – including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, both being investigated as potential COVID-19 treatments. The FDA also allowed the two drugs “to be distributed and prescribed by doctors to hospitalized teen and adult patients with COVID-19, as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible.”

But that is not the end of the good news, there is now new data supporting the use of Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin (Z-Pak) as effective treatment for COVID-19 patients, according to a new report from Wall Street Journal (WSJ). According to the story, Kansas City area physicians said they have seen positive improvement in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine. Major medical centers including the University of Washington and Mass General have also added hydroxychloroquine to treatment options, WSJ said.

Dr. Jeff Colyer, a practicing physician and the 2018-2019 governor of Kansas, said the combinations of Hydroxychloroquine & azithromycin continue to show promising results in Kansas City areas patient. “This appears to be the best widely available option for treating Covid-19 and not merely easing the suffering from the disease. It would be irresponsible not to pursue this option aggressively,” Dr. Colyer writes in an opinion piece in WSJ.

This appears to be the best widely available option for treating Covid-19 and not merely easing the suffering from the disease. It would be irresponsible not to pursue this option aggressively, writes @DrJeffColyer https://t.co/obQIIdVwd7

— Wall Street Journal Opinion (@WSJopinion) March 30, 2020