Jamaica will not be using the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, to treat persons who have contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19), says Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie.

She said that the decision was taken by

the Ministry, following a recommendation from a committee of experts from

across the island who are responsible for reviewing the technical material that

is available on various treatments that are being tried internationally.

“We also utilise the guidance documents

that are provided by the WHO (World Health Organization) who themselves have

established expert panels to review the material that is available. As a result

of our review, we have made a decision and this is a decision that is supported

by the WHO that we will not include hydroxychloroquine in our treatment

protocols,” she said.

The CMO was responding to a question during a virtual press conference as to Jamaica’s position on the use of the drug. In recent weeks, there have been raging debates globally about the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in treating patients with COVID-19, after it was touted as a weapon in the fight against the pandemic.

Bisasor McKenzie said that Jamaica is aware that ongoing studies are being done to look at the use of the drug in treating a certain set of patients.

“Jamaica has applied to be a part of the solidarity study, which is being coordinated from the WHO, and in that study, we may have persons who fit  definite criteria, who would be recruited to have that treatment,” she said.