https://www.archyde.com/about-chloroquine-and-the-unimaginable-shortage-of-masks-in-france/
In Italy, which precedes us by only eight days and where the situation becomes almost uncontrollable, a speed race against the Covid-19, has just been started with as a key weapon hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®, the best tolerated form chloroquine). Especially in Lazio, a very affected region where it is now widely prescribed for patients with early signs, with already very encouraging results in terms of protection of the subjects treated. In the newspaper “Corriere della Sera” Dr. Pierluigi Bartoletti, vice president of the Italian Federation of General Practitioners, explains that anyone isolated, Covid-19 positive with early signs (cough, fever for example) is today treated by the antimalarial. The product is reimbursed by Italian health insurance. It can be easily obtained on prescription from a doctor (in particular a general practitioner), in hospital pharmacies which transmit all data relating to the patient to the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA).
“We have just understood, adds Dr. Bartoletti, that the virus evolves in two phases and that it is during the second, after a few days (about a week), that the situation can suddenly, in 24 or 48 h, worsen and lead to respiratory failure requiring intensive care. The results that we are starting to accumulate suggest that the hydroxychloroquine administered early, gives the possibility of avoiding this evolution to a majority of patients and to unclutter the rooms of resuscitation”