100 Million Hydroxychloroquine Doses Donated

Paris-based Sanofi announced it has committed to donating 100 million doses of hydroxychloroquine to 50 countries around the world.

Furthermore, Sanofi has begun to progressively deliver the medicine to authorities that have requested it.

On April 10, 2020, Sanofi said it has already doubled its incremental production capacity across its 8 hydroxychloroquine manufacturing sites and is on track to quadruple production by this summer.

Sanofi is calling for coordination among the entire hydroxychloroquine chain worldwide to ensure the continued supply of the medicine if proven to be a well-tolerated and effective treatment in COVID-19 patients.

Sanofi said it will continue to donate the medicine to governments and hospital institutions if ongoing clinical studies demonstrate its efficacy and safety in COVID-19 patients.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Sanofi has received a growing number of requests from local governments around the world. 

The company is regularly evaluating its increasing supply capacity and re-assessing how best to help those countries in the most ethical way. 

Sanofi’s priority is to ensure supply continuity for patients treated under the current approved indications of the medicine, notably including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, while working hard to supply governments wishing to increase stocks in the hope that it may be an effective treatment of COVID-19.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health and economic crisis which is shaking some of the very fundamentals of international solidarity and cooperation among countries”, said Paul Hudson, Chief Executive Officer at Sanofi, in a press release. 

“This virus does not care about the concept of borders, so we shouldn’t either. It is critical that international authorities, local governments, manufacturers, and all the other players involved in the hydroxychloroquine chain work together in a coordinated manner to ensure all patients who may benefit from this potential treatment can access it.” 

“If the trials prove positive, we hope our donation will play a critical role for patients.”

To date, there is insufficient clinical evidence to draw any conclusion over the safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in the management of COVID-19 patients. 

It is one of several medicines being investigated by the World Health Organization in its international clinical trial seeking a treatment solution for COVID-19. 

Sanofi is supporting ongoing trials by providing the medicine to some participating investigator sites and other independent research centers.

While hydroxychloroquine is generating a lot of hope for patients around the world, it should be remembered that there are no results from ongoing studies, and the results may be positive or negative.

Hydroxychloroquine has several serious known side effects and should be used with caution.  Not everyone can take this medicine.

Sanofi is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health.

Coronavirus medications, tests and vaccine development news published by Precision Vaccinations.