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Evidence suggests malaria drug could be re-purposed to treat coronavirus/COVID-19

A scientist featured in the documentary "Pandemic," said when you mix the drug chloroquine with coronavirus in a test tube the virus is not as able to infect cells.

SAN DIEGO — A world-renowned scientist says there is some potentially good news in the fight against coronavirus/COVID-19. President Trump announced Thursday that the anti-malaria drug called chloroquine has shown encouraging results in treating COVID-19.  

"This is very good news. This is something we've seen coming," said Jacob Glanville, a scientist featured in the documentary "Pandemic."  

Glanville said when you mix anti-malaria drug chloroquine with coronavirus in a test tube the virus is not as able to infect human cells.

Chloroquine has been around since the 1940s.   

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Trump announced it could alleviate symptoms for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and is fast-tracking a study into its effectiveness.  

Health officials have said a vaccine ready for public use could take more than a year to develop. In the meantime, there is hope that chloroquine can help.   

Glanville said there is a good possibility that this drug can be re-purposed as a possible COVID 19 treatment. 

The FDA commissioner said it's important not to provide false hope. We should have more evidence on this treatment coming out in April.  

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