'We need to know what the basis was for using this drug against the consensus of science, which called into question its effectiveness in treating COVID-19,' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement Friday.
Wilkie, in a letter to Schumer, noted that the FDA authorized physicians to use the drug for patients and the VA is following the guidance from the FDA and is aware of the potential side effects, especially for those with preexisting conditions or who take the drug in combination with others.
"There is much misinformation in the national media about VA's use of this pharmaceutical," Wilkie said in his letter."The immediate concern is that veterans are being discouraged from seeking life-saving treatment at the VA as the result of false implications that VA is recklessly experimenting on veterans with this drug."
He said the drug was being prescribed in"certain circumstances" and is largely being used"at the final stages of a veteran's life in the hope that it has some positive effect." Wilkie added that the department's primary use of the drug, which is used to treat or prevent malaria as well as autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, has not been to treat COVID-19 patients.
The VA also told the New York Democrat that the department is planning several studies to examine the effectiveness of the drug, including one scheduled for review this month. "This drug may be useless or even harmful for COVID-19 patients, but the VA continues to administer it to hundreds of vets," Schumer said on Twitter."Why are we just learning this? We need answers NOW!"
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