Backing New Jersey State Sen. Joe Pennacchio on March 23, a total of 67 physicians advocated for the use of hydroxychloroquin to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to Tap Into.
Mr. Pennachio called for federal and state governments to use HCQ to tackle the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, in response to a peer-reviewed study by French infectious disease specialist Didier Raoult, MD, PhD.
In the study, Dr. Raoult demonstrated positive results for the treatment of COVID-19 with HCQ, which has the ability to prevent the virus from entering the cell as well as reproducing.
Dr. Raoult found a substantial decrease in "viral shedding" from patients treated with HCQ, which reduces the likelihood of the virus being transmitted to others.
HCQ also has a 22-day half-life within the body, reinforcing its efficacy for the treatment of COVID-19.