Apotex hands Ottawa two million dosages of hydroxychloroquine

The drug that U.S. President Donald Trump so famously referred to as a potential “game changer” in the fight against COVID-19 is getting into the hands of Canadian researchers in droves.

That’s because North York-based Apotex, the country’s largest pharmaceutical company and Canada’s only manufacturer of hydroxychloroquine, is donating two million dosages of the drug to the federal government. Hydroxychloroquine is currently used to treat such conditions as malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and more.

The medication will be set aside for current and future COVID-19 related clinical trials that are approved by Health Canada's Office of Clinical Trials. Some will also be allocated to the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (NESS) to provide emergency surge capacity to the provinces and territories in the event of a significant shortage.

Apotex, in recent weeks, shifted production priorities to produce more hydroxychloroquine. The donation will not impact anyone who is currently being treated with the drug.

“Our goal from the outset has been to protect the supply of this product for patients currently using it for approved indications,” Apotex president and CEO Jeff Watson said in a news release. “At the same time, we recognize the importance of building a clinical profile of this medicine to determine its efficacy in treating COVID-19, and we are fortunate to be able to meet both needs.”

Researchers can contact Apotex if they require a supply of hydroxychloroquine at hcqdonations@apotex.com.

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