Local pharmacies say they can meet prescription needs of patients on hydroxychloroquine. President Donald Trump has touted the drug as a potential treatment to COVID-19.
Lead pharmacist Charlsie Williamson at Walter’s pharmacy in Murray said the pharmacy has not had difficulty obtaining the drug. But she says their wholesaler has allocated amounts, which happens when there is higher demand or much lower supply than normal. She said the wholesaler has limited how much pharmacies can buy at one time.
“We just try to make sure that we are aware that we have it and aware at all times what their stock is because that’s always changing,” Williamson said.
Willamson said the most common patients on hydroxychloroquine are those with autoimmune issues, such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Walgreens Senior Manager of Pharmacy and Operations Communications Rebekah Pajak said the pharmaceutical giant has issued guidelines, including a 14 day supply limit for new prescriptions and a 30 day supply limit for refill of prescriptions with a prior history of use. She said all active 90 day-prescriptions should be limited to 30 days.
Health experts have not cleared hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 and say not enough is known about the drug to determine its efficacy against the virus.
