The results being seen from an anti-malarial drug approved by the FDA on an emergency-use designation for the treatment of coronavirus are "unbelievable," President Donald Trump said Monday.
"The hydroxychloroquine is something that I have been pushing very hard," Trump told Fox News' "Fox and Friends." "Dr. Steven Hahn, the head of the FDA, gave us a very quick approval, a 24-hour approval."
On Sunday, Health and Human Services Department Secretary Alex Azar said the department has accepted 30 million doses of the drug from Novartis AG’s Sandoz unit. The drug has shown promising, but inconclusive results, according to health experts, and while Trump has said it's safe, it does carry some significant side effects.
"I think that we'll have a good idea over the next three days because it's been used now in New York at my request on 1,100 people," said Trump. "I think that's better than testing in a laboratory."
Trump also on Monday touted the United States' growing testing capabilities, including one test that will allow diagnosing within minutes, rather than in days, whether a person tests positive for the dangerous virus.
"When this new test comes out we'll be able to give it as they sit," said Trump. "We literally will be able to know exactly what's happening and it's a very sophisticated result too. It could be even a step better than what we're having . . . the new test is easier, simpler, and quick.
Meanwhile, the numbers of people testing positive in the United States are more than in all other countries, but Trump said that's a result of the improved tests and procedures.
"We've tested more and that's why we have more cases," said Trump, adding that the United States has a "very low mortality rate and there are reasons for that."
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Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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