Guidance regarding Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Prescriptions

To Whom it may concern:

 

To ensure patient access to medications during the COVID-19 outbreak and to prevent stockpiling these medications, the Utah Board of Pharmacy is implementing the following guidance regarding the dispensing of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for treatment of COVID-19.

 

Currently, the FDA is investigating the use in treatment of COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine.  At this time, safety and efficacy for this indication have not been established.

 

While there are no FDA-approved therapeutics or drugs to treat, cure or prevent COVID-19, there are several FDA-approved treatments that may help ease the symptoms from a supportive care perspective.

 

The FDA has been working closely with other government agencies and academic centers that are investigating the use of the drug chloroquine, which is already approved for treating malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, to determine whether it can be used to treat patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 to potentially reduce the duration of symptoms, as well as viral shedding, which can help prevent the spread of disease. Studies are underway to determine the efficacy in using chloroquine to treat COVID-19.

 

Due to the narrow therapeutic window for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, the Utah Board of Pharmacy encourages both medical providers and pharmacists to follow established guidelines when prescribing and filling these medications.

 

Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Prescription Limitations:

 

No prescription or medical order for hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine should be dispensed by a pharmacist for a COVID-19 diagnosis unless all the following apply:

 

1.      The prescription bears a written diagnosis from the prescriber consistent with the evidence for its use.

2.      The diagnosis has been confirmed by a positive test result which is documented on the prescription or medical order.

3.      The prescription is limited to no more than a seven (7) day supply.

4.      No refills may be permitted unless a new prescription or medical order is furnished.

 

  Original Document Link https://dopl.utah.gov/docs/Hydroxychloroquine_Chloroquine_Guidance.pdf