UMD Researchers Studying Hydroxychloroquine As Coronavirus Treatment
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ) -- Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are testing the effectiveness of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment for the coronavirus.
The research is part of a larger national study trying to figure out if the drug can prevent people from getting sick after being exposed to those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
President Trump has promoted the drug as a possible treatment for the virus.
"I think we need to find out if this is a potential beneficial role of hydroxychloroquine in COVID," said Dr. Miriam Laufer with the university.
This study is different, she said, because it looks at how the anti-malaria drug could prevent the spread of the virus rather than treating it after the fact.
The key participants will be people who either live or work with someone who tested positive.
"It may work to prevent infection in the household members," Laufer said. "The other possibility is it may be treating the infection very early on so that the infection goes away without causing any disease, so it may prevent infection, or it may prevent people from getting sick."
The University of Maryland is one of six schools nationwide taking part in the study. The process will be entirely remote, with participants speaking with doctors over the phone or via teleconference. Medications will then be delivered, with participants getting either hydroxychloroquine or a placebo for 14 days.
Researchers will then study the effects.
With no vaccine ready for the public, experts are rushing to find scientifically-vetted options to prevent the virus.
"I am with everybody else in the world who is so eager to find a treatment for this terrible disease, and in particular a way for us to not have to live in social isolation for so long, but it's important that we make sure that we do more benefit than harm," Laufer said.
On Friday, the FDA issued a warning that said hydroxychloroquine should only be used in clinical trials and under medical supervision, warning not doing so could be deadly.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
