Chloroquine Phosphate Cleared by Trump, Food and Drug Administration to Test as Treatment COVID-19

additive in aquariums to kill microscopic organisms that might harm fish

(FOX NEWS) – President Trump announced in a press conference Thursday that chloroquine phosphate — a substance found in drugs used to treat malaria and severe arthritis — was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to test as a treatment for the coronavirus.

That same substance, outside its pharmaceutical form, is used as an additive in aquariums to kill microscopic organisms that might harm fish and other aquatic animals.

And, the prices for chloroquine phosphate have surged online in late February and early March, according to a study published Thursday, sparking fears that people may be ingesting the fish-tank additive in the hope it will combat COVID-19 illnesses.

The study, conducted by Storyful before Trump named the drug publicly Thursday, analyzed three identical listings from the same eBay seller, “thechemicalsource,” who opened bids on bottles of chloroquine phosphate used in aquariums for one week.

Between February 25 and March 2, the price paid for a single 25-gram bottle of chloroquine phosphate skyrocketed from $9.99 to more than $500, the study said.

The seller warned in each listing that the substance was not for human consumption.

CLICK HERE to read the full article on FoxNew.com>>>

At @Storyful, we found an interesting phenomenon: sales of a version of chloroquine phosphate used in fish tanks – yes, fish tanks – have skyrocketed in recent weeks. Jars of the drug not intended for human consumption have gone from $10 to over $400 or higher this month. pic.twitter.com/vAe5dzwUBa

— Samuel Oakford (@samueloakford) March 19, 2020

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Similar Stories