DeWine Calls for Board of Pharmacy to Rethink Hydroxychloroquine Ban

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is asking the Board of Pharmacy and the State Medical Board of Ohio to halt a new rule prohibiting the selling or dispensing of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19.

In a statement released this morning, DeWine said he agrees with a statement from FDA Commissioner Dr. Steven Hahn, who said the decision about prescribing hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 should be between a doctor and a patient.  

The Governor said the Board of Pharmacy and the State Medical Board of Ohio should revisit the issue, listen to the best medical science, and open the process up for comment and testimony from experts.

Here is the Governor’s full statement:

“I agree with the statement from Dr. Steven Hahn, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, that the decision about prescribing hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 should be between a doctor and a patient.  Therefore, I am asking the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to halt their new rule prohibiting the selling or dispensing of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19.  The Board of Pharmacy and the State Medical Board of Ohio should revisit the issue, listen to the best medical science, and open the process up for comment and testimony from experts.”