Coronavirus update - Chloroquine authorised for use in hospitals in France

In France, the Minister of Health has authorised, supervised by decree, the prescription of chloroquine for patients with coronavirus. This is now possible at the hospital, if the doctor deems it useful.

Plaquenil, derived from chloroquine, can now be delivered to patients with Covid-19. The Minister of Health, Olivier Véran ruled, Thursday, March 26, by a decree published in the Official Journal.

Prescription of this medication is now possible in the hospital, if the doctor deems it useful, without waiting for the results of the ongoing clinical trials.

"Hydroxychloroquine and the combination of lopinavir / ritonavir may be prescribed, dispensed and administered under the responsibility of a doctor to patients affected by Covid-19, in the healthcare establishments which take charge of them, as well as for the continuation of their treatment if their condition allows it and with the authorization of the initial prescriber, at home".

This drug based on hydroxychloroquine, derived from the antimalarial chloroquine, cannot be used "in the management of Covid-19 in (city) medicine", underlined the agency of the drug ANSM, while this drug is currently the subject of a massive demand.

The decree of the Minister of Health also provides for the limitation of the dispensing of Plaquenil in pharmacies to its strict medical indications such as for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, and the prohibition of the export of specialties containing hydroxychloroquine, but also drugs containing the combination lopinavir / ritonavir, antivirals also tested against Covid-19.

Like all chloroquine medicines, Plaquenil can only be obtained with a prescription. This can indeed present risks if used without proper medical monitoring. Risks in particular cardiac and damage to the retina.

The ANSM, which recalled the strict conditions for the supply of these drugs, asked the Sanofi (Plaquenil), Abbvie (Kaletra) and Mylan (generic Kaletra) laboratories to "deliver wholesalers-distributors as soon as possible and pharmacies". 

Last local news

Evening Update Friday 18th July 2025

A major wildfire broke out Thursday evening burning 240 hectares and prompting the evacuation of 104 people in Martigues, Bouches-du-Rhône. Meanwhile,... Evening Update Friday 18th July 2025 Read More

18/07/2025

French and Riviera News Friday 18th July 2025

Train traffic between Hyères and Toulon has been halted following a serious incident. Trains were affected on Thursday, July 17th, shortly after 1pm a... French and Riviera News Friday 18th July 2025 Read More

18/07/2025

Weather Forecast - Friday 18th July 2025

Clear skies with a gentle breeze. Highs of 30 degrees in Monaco and Antibes, 31 degrees in Nice and 29 degrees in Menton and Saint-Tropez. This evenin... Weather Forecast - Friday 18th July 2025 Read More

18/07/2025

Evening Update Thursday 17th July 2025

A 38-year-old man has been fatally struck by a truck early Thursday, the 17th of July, on the A8 motorway near Coudoux, Bouches-du-Rhône. ... Evening Update Thursday 17th July 2025 Read More

17/07/2025

French and Riviera News Thursday 17th July 2025

Tensions are running high in Antibes, where around thirty animal rights activists from the group One Voice have gathered outside the former Marineland... French and Riviera News Thursday 17th July 2025 Read More

17/07/2025