Bucks Montgomery Physician Fall 2020 - 11

be reversed easily and quickly." I disagree strongly
with his statement that the data fully support the use
of HCQ or that the situation is easily rectifiable with
the use of HCQ. The studies he used as evidence
were significantly flawed. Furthermore, he only
looked at one side of the balance scale as he failed to
reference other data that oppose his viewpoint.
8.	 Most of the studies done looking at HCQ in Covid
have been poorly done with significant flaws.
Conclusions reached by the authors sometimes extend
far beyond what the data shows. This applies to both
sides of the argument.
9.	 Having reviewed many studies, I feel at this time that
the evidence supporting the use of HCQ in Covid is
equivocal at best.
10.	 While there is some evidence suggesting that HCQ
helps, there is no convincing proof that it does. HCQ
should not be viewed as a cure for Covid.

11.	 Even those who support the use of HCQ in Covid
generally argue that it must be used early. It is not felt
to be beneficial if used in patients who are already
hospitalized, although the Henry Ford study did look
at hospitalized patients.
12.	 Not knowing if a drug works is different than
knowing that it doesn't. Right now, we do not know
either conclusively. There is also no consensus
on when it might work, e.g. as prophylaxis, in early
treatment, or in hospitalized patients.
13.	 Decisions re the use of this drug must be based on
risk/benefit analysis as applied to the individual case.
14.	 Disclosure - I did use this medication for my wife
when she developed loss of smell 2 months ago and
there were concerns re her having Covid. Although I
was not convinced of the efficacy, I felt that given the
safety profile, a 5-day empiric course was warranted. I
do not know if I would or would not make that same
decision today as more data has come out since then.
Continued on next page.

BUCKS AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETIES

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Bucks Montgomery Physician Fall 2020

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