Oklahoma To Hold On To Possible COVID-19 Medication Stockpile

Oklahoma is one of the reported 22 states that bought a drug used to treat malaria to help fight COVID-19.

Oklahoma spent $2 million on its hydroxychloroquine stockpile.

It’s enough to treat 100,000 infected patients.

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned against prescribing the medication to COVID-19. Patients outside of a hospital or research setting. 

The FDA is highlighting the side effects like irregular heart rhythms or even death.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma plans to keep its stockpile, despite around 650 Oklahomans total being hospitalized with the coronavirus.

“We are not out of the woods yet. Nobody knows what’s going to happened with a second wave and then we’ve got to them through the Fall, Winter, and Spring next year. So there is no reason to get rid of an insurance plane you haven’t full utilized yet,” said medical consultant Clay Bullard.

Bullard, who was asked by the governor to get hydroxychloroquine, said the medication can be put back into the market to recoup costs since its used to treat other illnesses.

The medication has proven effective for some Oklahomans.

Edmond’s Jim Simpson thinks it saved his life. He was in ICU for about a week with COVID-19.

“Without a doubt, I know its what saved me,” Simpson said.

Related: Edmond Couple Says Malaria Drug Helped Them Recover From Coronavirus