Plea in SC seeks immediate change in COVID-19 treatment

A plea seeking directions to the government to make necessary changes in the treatment guidelines for seriously ill COVID-19 patients, who are receiving a combination of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic azithromycin, has been filed in the Supreme Court claiming that they have lethal side effects.

New Delhi: A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court which seeks directions to the government to immediately make necessary changes in the treatment guidelines for COVID-19 patients, a combination of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic azithromycin.

The PIL filed by People for Better Treatment (PBT) through its President Dr. Kunal Saha, said the use of HCQ and AZM were recommended for the most serious COVID-19 patients by the Health Ministry based primarily on anecdotal evidence and not as a specific therapy.

Saha alleged that international studies have shown that a combination of HCQ and AZM in COVID-19 patients significantly increases the risk of chest pain and heart failure.

"Seriously ill COVID-19 patients in ICU hospitals across India are subjected to a controversial and proven non specific amd potentially toxic 'off label' use of drugs MCQ and AZM," read the petition.

Read:Blunder! Typo error turns man into corona positive in UP

Saha contended that the government had recommended the use, but without necessary warnings of precautionary measures to prevent cardiac complications and possible death as found by recent International medical publications.

The government has made a serious mistake by ignoring warnings from the international medical community, said Saha.

Further, he also sought directions to the government to obtain consent from people receiving the combination and immediately implement the six specific preventive measures, mentioned in an article by American Heart Association, in case of receiving the combination.

(With inputs from PTI)