The US has supplied Brazil with 2 million doses of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for use against the coronavirus, despite medical warnings about the risks associated with it.
The two governments released a joint announcement just days after the WHO suspended testing it on Covid-19 patients due to health concerns. Both presidents have promoted its use, despite the US Food and Drug Administration issuing a warning about its use against the virus.
“The American and Brazilian people stand in solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus,” the statement said. “We are announcing the United States Government has delivered two million doses of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to the people of Brazil
“HCQ will be used as a prophylactic to help defend Brazil’s nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals against the virus. It will also be used as a therapeutic to treat Brazilians who become infected.
The countries will also carry out a joint research effort, including “randomised controlled clinical trials”, and the US has pledged to send 1,000 ventilators to Brazil.