Promoting treatment that endangers lives

The Panamanian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SPOG ) questioned that, after 16 months of the pandemic, the health authorities of Panama promote the use of hydroxychloroquine as an alternative for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19, despite the “Multiple pieces of evidence of its ineffectiveness”.

“The most recent statements of the second in command in the Ministry of Health and evidence circulating on social networks about the prescription of hydroxychloroquine to a pregnant woman, reflect that such use is a guideline with ministerial support, which does not recognize scientific evidence, but that endangers the lives of thousands of Panamanians” the organization highlighted in a July 29 statement.

According to doctors, since June 2020 various studies have shown the ineffectiveness of the use of hydroxychloroquine for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19. “The evidence exists and is clear,” they noted.

They recalled that on July 15, 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the authorization for its use, after five months before they authorized it for emergency purposes. And in February 2021, a “systematic review” by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows a moderate quality of evidence, the third level of four, against its use due to “lack of benefits and even higher mortality. ”(3%), being not significant, but with a very clear trend.

They also emphasized a study published by The New England Journal of Medicine and carried out by The RECOVERY Collaborative Group, in November 2020 and called Effect of hydroxychloroquine in hospitalized patients with Covid-19, in which the “non-usefulness of hydroxychloroquine ”to conclude that among hospitalized patients with Covid-19 who received hydroxychloroquine did not have a lower incidence of death at 28 days than those who received usual care.

The study also referenced a “significant” association with an increased need for mechanical ventilation or deaths.

The current figures of new infections and deaths from Covid-19 in Panama reflect the importance and the result of the vaccination policy. Currently, 99% of the population that dies from Covid-19 in Panama is an unvaccinated population; while the vaccinated represent only 0.8% of deaths; but not because of the use of hydroxychloroquine ”, added the association

This week, the Deputy Minister of Health, Ivette Berrío, said in an interview with Telemetro that the “Protect yourself Panama” kit that they deliver to Covid-19 patients includes hydroxychloroquine.

Her statements were described on Twitter as “lamentable” by leading Panama scientists and doctors.