State Selling Hydroxycholoroquine Stockpile

The State Department of the Health said it's now working to sell its stockpile of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine.

Earlier this month, the FDA pulled the emergency use of the drug to fight COVID-19.

Medical consultant Clay Bullard secured $2 million worth of medication at the Governor’s request.

Even though the FDA and doctors across the country concluded hydroxychloroquine wasn’t effective in fighting the virus, Bullard is still hearing from those wanting the medication.

“I get calls weekly from police officers, firefighters, emergency techs asking what doctors prescribe hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic because they are on the frontlines with patients every day,” Bullard said.

The member of the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision pointed to a half-dozen studies showing hydroxychloroquine is effective in treatment for COVID-19.

Bullard said the medication used daily by many lupus patients has fallen victim to politics.

“Right now, the negativity on hydroxychloroquine is to prove Donald Trump wrong,” Bullard said.

Local doctors can still prescribe hydroxychloroquine off-brand to treat COVID-19.

Bullard said it’s not worth putting it out on the market now because the state will only receive pennies on the dollar in return.

The medical consultant to the Gov. Stitt thinks the state should consider it insurance if more research proves the drug is effective against COVID-19.

“It would be my advice to hold on to it for a little bit longer,” Bullard said.