NAFDAC approves chloroquine production for clinical trial of coronavirus treatment

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved the production of Chloroquine for clinical trials in a bid to find a cure for coronavirus which has ravaged countries around the world. 

NAFDAC's Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye who made the announcement at the Lagos headquarters of the agency stated that NAFDAC is not approving Chloroquine for the treatment of  COVID-19 but for clinical trials to find treatment for the virus.

She said; 

“In the case of Chloroquine, it has been demonstrated in the literature and with clinical research which is still ongoing, that Chloroquine is superior to the Placebo.

“NAFDAC is not approving Chloroquine as a product that has can be used for Coronavirus because there is no submission to us for registration but because it is under clinical trials, NAFDAC approves medicines meant for clinical trials.

“Therefore the medicine is being approved just for the clinical trials. 

“Right now, we have asked one company to make a batch of Chloroquine for the purpose of clinical trial."

Adeyeye who called on experts and researchers that are interested in doing a clinical trial on Chloroquine to approach approved outlets, urged Nigerians not to use Chloroquine as an anti-malaria drug. 

She added; 

“Chloroquine is banned for use as anti-malaria."