PSN Warned Nigerians against using Chloroquine for protection Against Corona Virus

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has warned Nigerians against using Chloroquine in other to protect themselves from contacting the trending virus called Corona Virus “COVID-19”.

Mr. Aliu Bakau, the Kwara branch chairman of PSN, gave the warning while speaking with the press agency of Nigeria [NAN] in Ilorin on Thursday.

He said that taking Chloroquine as a precaution against COVID-19 amounts to substance abuse.

It would be recalled that there have been videos currently trending online alleging that Chloroquine, an old malaria drug, could help protect people from contacting; and in treating Coronavirus.

He said that doctors had been prescribing Chloroquine, or hydroxychloroquine, for the treatment of malaria since 1944.

He said, “It is often given before exposure to malaria to stop the infection, and it also can tend as treatment afterward.’’

Bakau told NAN that such research was still ongoing and had not been established nor confirmed.

He said that PSN had commenced public awareness and education on the COVID-19 through its distribution of fliers to the general public.

He advised the general public to always avoid crowded environments but encouraged them to extend their sanitary practices.

The PSN chairman advised Nigerians not to panic, adding that folks should use necessary precautionary means such as hand sanitizers, tissue, and coughing or sneezing inside the elbow.

NAN reports that the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) on Wednesday announced a further five new cases of the virus within the country.

This has brought the entire number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus to eight within the country.