Asserting its independence, FDA revokes chloroquine authorizations

FDA took more than six weeks to rescind the EUA for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine after the agency first raised concerns over the safety of the malaria drugs to treat COVID-19. The move reverses a decision that brought the agency accusations of kowtowing to President Donald Trump, who touted the drugs’ potential to cure the disease in a March 19 press briefing.

FDA granted the drugs Emergency Use Authorization on March 28 based on anecdotal and in vitro evidence, some of which the agency walked back Monday...