Hydroxychloroquine: balancing the needs of LMICs during the COVID-19 pandemic

Type Journal Article Author Soumya Banerjee URL https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanrhe/PIIS2665-9913(20)30162-4.pdf Series Correspondence Volume 2 Publication The Lancet Rheumatology Date 27/05/2020 DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/ S2665-9913(20)30162-4 Abstract I want to thank the Editor for bringing attention to the effect of a potential shortage of hydroxychloroquine on existing patients with autoimmune diseases during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.1 The drug has shown both promising and not so promising results against severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and more testing needs to be done to fully assess its efficacy in this context; however, hydroxychloroquine is already known to be an effective treatment for patients with autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus.2