Residents across Lagos and Abuja,
are trooping to pharmaceutical stores to purchase Chloroquine drug for use, as a measure to fight coronavirus, with hospitals now treating’ patients suffering from chloroquine poisoning.
According to Gboyega Akosile, chief press secretary to the governor, some hospitals in Lagos state have been receiving patients suffering from chloroquine poisoning.
However, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cautioned residents against panic-buying of the Chloroquine drug, foodstuff, and other household items.
In a broadcast at the Lagos House, Marina, the Governor who reassured residents that the State was prepared to prevent the spread of COVID-19 urged them to play their part by following laid down precautionary measures, including social distancing.
Quoting Oreoluwa Finnih, senior special assistant to the governor on health, Akosile also warned people against massive consumption of chloroquine as a measure to fight coronavirus.
The demand for chloroquine, an oral artemisinin-based monotherapies (oAMTs) for malaria treatment, soared a few hours after President Donald Trump said the drug had been approved to treat COVID-19.
But Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, contradicted the American president, saying the agency was still working to examine all possibilities.
In a tweet on Friday, Akosile warned people against harming themselves through the indiscriminate use of the drug.
“Hospitals now receiving patients suffering from Chloroquine Poisoning, says Gov @jidesanwoolu’s SSA on Health, Dr @Oreoluwa_Finnih. She urged people against massive consumption of Chloroquine as a measure to fight #Coronavirus,” he tweeted.
