Ohio Issues New Rule On Prescribing Hydrochloroquine, Chloroquine

Pharmacists in Ohio are prohibited from dispensing chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine — drugs commonly used to treat malaria — for the new coronavirus unless a person is confirmed to have COVID-19 or is otherwise approved by the pharmacy board's executive director.

The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy held an emergency Sunday session to issue the rule that prohibits pharmacists in their ability to dispense the drugs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the drugs are currently recommended for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in several countries. President Trump has also talked about the drugs in his daily White House briefings. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is on the White House's coronavirus task force and is a renowned infection disease expert, has said there is only anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of the two drugs.

"I, on the other side, have said 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," Fauci said on CNN.

According to CNN, several states have taken steps to prevent there from being a shortage of the drugs.

U.S. Attorneys Justin Herdman and David DeVillers, Ohio Attorney General David Yost and the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, issued a joint statement confirming that they are aware of the allegations leading to the order and declared a joint commitment to investigating any violations of state or federal law committed by any individuals or entities, including healthcare professionals.

Below is the statement:

“These are extraordinary times for the world, our nation, and the great state of Ohio. While we are seeing the absolute best of our healthcare professionals as they help to address the COVID-19 crisis, we will remain vigilant to address any self-serving behavior by any member of the medical community. Be assured that we will do our due diligence in holding accountable anyone who may be prescribing outside a legitimate medical purpose. Where we find doctors or others who are abusing their professional licenses to help themselves or associates, we will move swiftly to identify and prosecute any wrongdoing that is a violation of federal or state law. We are committed to pursuing all remedies to address misconduct associated with the allegations leading to the Board of Pharmacy action, including seeking criminal penalties where appropriate.

The emergency rule states the following:

(A) Unless otherwise approved by the board’s executive director, no prescription for
chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine may be dispensed by a pharmacist or sold at retail by a
licensed terminal distributor of dangerous drugs unless all the following apply:
(1) The prescription bears a written diagnosis code from the prescriber; and
(2) If written for a COVID-19 diagnosis, the diagnosis has been confirmed by a positive test
result, which is documented on the prescription and both of the following apply:
(a) The prescription is limited to no more than a fourteen-day supply; and
(b) No refills may be permitted unless a new prescription is furnished.
(B) Prescriptions for either presumptive positive patients or prophylactic use of chloroquine
or hydroxychloroquine related to COVID-19 is strictly prohibited unless otherwise approved
by the board’s executive director in consultation with the board president, at which time a
resolution shall issue.