US sends 2 million doses of anti-malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine to Brazil

LUCAS UEBEL / GREMIO FBPA / AFP

The US has shipped 2 million doses of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to Brazil in a bid to fight COVID-19.

The leaders of the two countries have put their weight behind the drug despite no scientific evidence backing claims that it can treat the virus.

In fact, US President Donald Trump recently revealed taking it daily, while Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro admitted to keeping a box of the drug in case his mother needed it.

It comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) suspended testing it on COVID-19 patients because of safety concerns.

So far, Brazil has reported 514,992 new cases and 29,341 deaths.

More from International News

  • Netanyahu says Israel to decide which international forces in Gaza acceptable

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday Israel would determine which foreign forces it would allow as part of a planned international force in Gaza to help secure an end to its war under US President Donald Trump's plan.

  • Two suspects in Louvre jewel heist case arrested in Paris

    Two suspects in the brazen daylight heist of some of France's crown jewels from the Louvre were arrested in Paris on Saturday evening and are being questioned, Le Parisien newspaper reported on Sunday, citing sources close to the investigation.

  • Russian attack on Kyiv kills three, injures 31

    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for new strong sanctions against Russia and its allies after Russian drones killed three and injured 31, including six children, in an overnight air attack on Kyiv.

  • PKK announces withdrawal from Turkey

    The outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said on Sunday it was withdrawing from Turkey as part of a disarmament process it is coordinating with the government, and pressed Ankara for concrete measures to move the process along.

Blogs