Additional restrictions were added Monday for New Jerseyans seeking prescriptions of any drugs in short supply that may be useful in treating coronavirus - after two particular drugs were mentioned as possible treatment by early research and a presidential praising.
The drugs, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, can treat malaria. Hydroxychloroquine also is used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
But state authorities have noticed a surge in prescriptions for the drugs after reports that they may be useful in treating the coronavirus, which has more than 16,000 confirmed cases in New Jersey and nearly 200 deaths.
And some people are hoarding the drugs despite not having an immediate need, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement Monday.
“Stockpiling and hoarding drugs, and inappropriate prescribing for friends and family, is unacceptable. The action we are taking today protects the drug supply so that medications are available when necessary for those who need them most,” Grewal said.
He said state officials had received reports that some of the hoarders are doctors and dentists writing prescriptions for themselves or family members, or stockpiling them to use at their offices. A state order announcing the changes says “for example, podiatrists, dentists and veterinarians should not be writing prescriptions for medications designed to treat COVID-19.”
Early research did show better outcomes in patients who were treated with hydroxychloroquine, compared to those treated without, according to CNN. But officials have warned of dangers if it is not taken at the recommendation of a healthcare provider.
“I’m not disagreeing with the fact anecdotally they might work, but my job is to prove definitively from a scientific standpoint that they do work,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during a recent appearance on CBS’ Face The Nation.
The FDA approved use of those two drugs Saturday to treat patients hospitalized with the virus for whom a clinical trial is not available or participation is not feasible.
An Arizona man died, and his wife was hospitalized, after they ingested chloroquine phosphate in the form of fish food, according to NBC News.
The following restrictions are now in place in New Jersey for any drug in short supply that may possibly be used to treat coronavirus:
- To get a hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine prescription to treat COVID-19, the patient must have tested positive for the disease;
- Anyone receiving the drug as treatment for COVID-19 will be limited to a 14-day supply;
- Pharmacists will refuse prescriptions without a diagnosis or without supporting evidence in the patient’s record;
- Pharmacists can now exercise additional judgment when filling prescriptions, including partial filling - giving a patient one inhaler when their doctor asked for three, for example.
The restrictions do not apply to patients taking the drugs for existing conditions like lupus and other autoimmune diseases, or people who were prescribed the drugs for an in-person hospital stay.
Health care providers in violation of the order will be reported to the state Board of Medical Examiners.
Paul Rodriguez, the state’s acting director of consumer affairs, said medical professionals should make decisions “that ensure every patient is able to obtain their medication."
“This includes only issuing prescriptions necessary for the treatment of patients, and in reasonable quantities to ensure continuity of care for all who rely on them,” he said in the statement with Grewal. "It is imperative that those rules are not violated, especially during a public health emergency.”
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Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
This post was updated with additional information on the FDA’s authorization.