(Image source from: deseret.com)

Even with the warnings raided by FDA surrounding the consumption of Hydroxychloroquine and the kind of implications it has on one’s body, President Trump reported that he has been taking it regularly as a preventive measure against the novel coronavirus.

Trump said that he has been taking the medication for the last week and a half; one pill every day.

Trump disclosed the news in a question and answer session that he conducted with the reporters while meeting some of the restaurant executives whose businesses have been hit hard because of the virus.

Just a few weeks ago, Trump has already been promoting this anti-malaria drug as a potential treatment option for the virus but some of the studies conducted by the researchers have found that the consumption of hydroxychloroquine impacts the heart rates and can cause negative impacts on the body. FDA had even issued a warning against its usage.

In a statement released by FDA, it highlighted the reports of serious heart rhythm problems in the patients that have been treated with the drug.

President Trump, who is tested daily for the novel coronavirus said that he had asked the White House physician if taking the hydroxychloroquine is okay for him, to which he said that it is dependent on his choices.

The president has already denied wearing a protective mask in the West Wing.

The disclosure to this further came in as Modern Inc reported a progress in the vaccine development for the virus with the potential treatment option with remdesivir  as suggested by Gilead Sciences.

Following Trump’s remarks, Dr. Bob Lahita, who is the professor of medicine at the Rutgers University urged the people to not consume the drug.

He clarified that the researchers have seen no benefits with this drug and then have already tested multiple patients with it.

Aside from hydroxychloroquine, Trump also reported that he has taken an antibiotic, azithromycin to prevent the incidence of infection. In conjucture to that, he has also been taking zinc supplement to keep his immune system optimised.

"All I can tell you is so far I seem to be OK," Trump said.

By Somapika Dutta