Coronavirus live updates: FDA yanks emergency authorization for drug touted by Trump as covid-19 treatment

The Food and Drug Administration withdrew its emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, drugs that President Trump repeatedly promoted for treatment of covid-19, reversing a decision that led to harsh criticism it had put politics ahead of science.

The FDA said Monday the medications “were unlikely to be effective” for covid-19 and that any potential benefits were outweighed by safety risks, including heart problems. The decision was outlined in a letter from Denise Hinton, the agency’s chief scientist, to Gary Disbrow, the acting director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, who requested the revocation. The FDA said the change was prompted by new information, including clinical trial results.