NEW DELHI: The health experts in India staunchly believe that hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, is currently the only remedy against the novel coronavirus, while also pointing towards its underlying side effects. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the use of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive drug for coronavirus, which has infected hundreds of people till now. India has declared it an essential drug and restricted its sale and distribution. It can now only be sold on prescription. Medical Director of LNJP Hospital, Kishore Singh told IANS, “Hydrochloroquine is only remedy available with us right now. As compared to other chloroquine, it is much safer but has very well-documented side-effects.” He said that its intake can cause vomiting, hyperglycemia, hypothyroidism, optic neuropathy and hepatotoxicity. Many countries, including the US, are using Hydroxychloroquine as a life-saving measure amid the wide-spread coronavirus outbreak. —PTI

Press Trust of India