Things to know about Hydroxychloroquine, the 'unproven' coronavirus drug?

Hydroxychloroquine is an inexpensive and easily available drug. However, its demand has risen dramatically ever since it was named as a possible treatment for Covid-19

Hydroxychloroquine is very similar to Chloroquine, one of the oldest and best-known anti-malarial drugs. With US President Donald Trump pushing for its usage, there's excitement about a potential new treatment for the coronavirus pandemic. Reports from China suggested that chloroquine could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, and showed apparent efficacy in treating COVID-19 in humans. A small non-randomised trial in France also found hydroxychloroquine to be a promising potential treatment. 

The findings have prompted many, including US President Donald Trump, to tout hydroxychloroquine as a game-changer in the fight coronavirus, which has infected over 1.3 million people across more than 180