Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine strictly on prescription

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine cannot be issued without a prescription from a specialist medical officer, the Health and Indigenous Medical Services Ministry said.

Issuing a special notice to retail pharmacy owners, the Ministry instructed them not to issue chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine without a prescription from a specialist medical officer.

The notice states, “Any person who contravenes this direction/advice commits an offence and shall be triable under section 131 of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015.”

Both drugs are used for the prevention and treatment of malaria; however, the drugs are being used by the public as preventive medicine for COVID-19, and Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe earlier today issued a statement saying chloroquine was ineffective in preventing COVID-19.