Doctors banned from prescribing potential COVID-19 drug (Australia)

Over 60 ^ | April 15, 2020

[george76]

Doctors who prescribe an anti-malarial drug being touted as a potential COVID-19 treatment will face a $13,000 fine due to new prescription rules.

The rules, brought into effect in Queensland on Tuesday, means that clinicians are banned from prescribing hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment.

Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug now used to treat anti-immune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no solid evidence that the drug is effective against COVID-19, but Federal Health Minister said that there has been “some promising research so far”.

The new restrictions were brought in place after doctors began prescribing the drug to themselves and their families in February after early research suggested the drug might minimise the impact of COVID-19 and help patients recover faster.

Worldwide shortages of the drug were caused after US President Donald Trump tweeted about the potential of the drug last month.

However, under the new public health order, only some specialists are allowed to prescribe the drug and it must be for ongoing treatment of a chronic disease or as a part of a clinical trial.

The University of Queensland is on the verge of starting a large clinical trial involving 60 hospitals across Australia with hydroxychloroquine and another HIV medication.

"Prior to the clinical trials going ahead, the medications were given to some of the first patients in Australia infected with COVID-19, and all have completely recovered without any trace of the virus left in their system," he said.

However, we know that most people with COVID-19 recover completely, thanks to their immune system, so random anecdotal experiences of some people need to be replaced by rigorous clinical trials."

The aim is to treat COVID-19 patients as soon as they were admitted to hospital.

"This will enable us to test the first wave of Australian patients and gain real-world experience with this treatment, especially since we expect ongoing infections to continue for many months," he said.

"If we can obtain the best possible information now, then we can quickly treat subsequent patients down the track."

[mmichaels1970]

At least Tom Hanks and his wife got it in time.

[AU72]

So much for "If it can save just one life".

The Hanks got their treatment with no problemo.

[a fool in paradise]

Tell them it alleviates abortion symptoms

[GSWarrior]

If I ever need a caregiver at some point in my life I will never, ever let a Democrat fill that role.....

[XRdsRev]

So in Queensland if you get Covid19 you either are a guinea pig in a clinical trial or you can pound sand and rely on luck. Because remember peons, research is more important than saving your life.

[mmichaels1970]

So in Queensland if you get Covid19 you either are a guinea pig in a clinical trial or you can pound sand and rely on luck.

Or you are a celebrity.

[elpadre]

I am confused! I though I have been reading of wide-spread use of this prescription by doctors with unusually great results. What is the straight scoop????

[SkyDancer]

When politicians try to be doctors.

[null and void]

I forbid the use of parachutes until several randomized, double blind, placebo vs parachute, peer reviewed studies over a period of years show safety and efficacy.

It’s not like I’m the one who’s ever going to jump!

Heck, I might even hold out for parachute manufacturers’ baksheesh...

[null and void]

So much for "If it can save just one life".

Bring Out Your Dead

Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.

The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.

The false positive rate was 100%.

At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.

*sigh* Such is life, and death...

If a quarantine saves just one child's or one old fart’s life, it's worth it.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Chloroquine is a potent inhibitor of SARS coronavirus infection and spread, byMartin J Vincent, Eric Bergeron, Suzanne Benjannet, Bobbie R Erickson, Pierre E Rollin, Thomas G Ksiazek, Nabil G Seidah & Stuart T Nichol. Virology Journal volume 2, Article number: 69 (2005)

Note the date: 22 Aug 2005.

YES, 2005.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

That is all “anecdotal evidence” and doesn’t count.

As the French doctor said, all we have is “anecdotal evidence” that parachutes work. They won’t be proven until we conduct a parachute double-blind trial with a control group.

[LisaFab]

The new restrictions were brought in place after doctors began prescribing the drug to themselves and their families in February after early research suggested the drug might minimise the impact of COVID-19 and help patients recover faster.

[metmom]

You can if you have enough money.

[JPG]

Trump Hate Kills.

[metmom]

It’s disgusting that some people are willing to sacrifice the lives of others just because.

They haven’t proved it doesn’t work either.

At the very least, it’s doing nothing, so what’s the problem?

[ManHunter]

Good Lord! “You folks with the virus just stay alive for 6 to 12 months while we conduct a study, OK?”

[AndyJackson]

Wearing a parachute was found to be no more effective than staying on the ground. Statistically, we found that parachute failures were no more likely than death in the control group from traffic accidents, heart attacks and hydroxychloroquine overdose

[Chauncey Gardiner]

A response to Trump’s televised meeting yesterday w covid survivors who were cured by HCQ.