Africa News of Friday, 20 March 2020
Source: africanews.com
Coronavirus : Nigeria battles chloroquine poisoning
File photo: Some Nigerians are abusing chloroquine as a preventive drug for COVID-19
An official of Nigeria’s Lagos State government has disclosed that hospitals are receiving patients suffering from chloroquine poisoning.
Oreoluwa Finnih, a Senior Special Assistant to Lagos governor has thus urged the public to desist from using the anti-malaria drug as a measure of preventing coronavirus infection. In Nigeria, reports indicate that the drug’s price has been hiked since the news broke.
Chloroquine has been gaining traction on social media since some news agencies reported it had been approved for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The outlets cited U.S. President Donald Trump as making the claims. America’s Food and Drugs Authority, FDA, has since disclaimed the assertion saying the drug has not been cleared for any such purpose.
AN URGENT APPEAL:
— #OurFavOnlineDoc ???? (@DrOlufunmilayo) March 20, 2020
People are hoarding and buying chloroquine out of panic. People who need chloroquine for other illnesses may die due to this madness.
Chloroquine pack yesterday 8,000 naira
Today 25,000 naira.
This is insane.
Govt must act NOW.
Pls RT this for someone to act.
