Sen. Chuck Schumer on Sunday called on the Veterans Affairs Administration to come clean on whether it is using veterans to test hydroxychloroquine.
The New York Democrat said the VA must explain why it purchased a bulk order of $208,000 worth of the drug.
“When it comes to the testing and treatment of vets with these chloroquine drugs, including hydroxychloroquine, families are left with more questions than answers,” Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said.
“The VA needs to provide full details on the recent bulk order, the status of any testing and the notification process to families. Recent actions by the VA have spurred serious questions and the fact that the VA has yet to answer them is deeply concerning,” he continued.
“If vets are being given this risky drug, New York families — and all families — have a right to know what is going on and what’s intended for the future.”
Schumer said it’s unknown where that shipment of hydroxychloroquine is being distributed, but he wants answers from VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, including whether the president — who has previously touted it as a potential treatment — was involved.
“It is imperative that veterans and their families be made aware of the department’s practices with regard to the administration of these drugs and any risks they may be exposed to,” Schumer said in a letter to Wilkie, adding that he wanted a response by May 22.
Hydroxychloroquine, which has been used to treat malaria, showed promise early in helping patients sick from the coronavirus, but the Food and Drug Administration last month warned against prescribing the drug for COVID-19 outside of hospitals or clinical trials because of the risk of serious side effects like heart rhythm problems and death.
A study published last month of 368 male veterans with the coronavirus found that 28 percent who were given hydroxychloroquine and usual health care died — compared to 11 percent who just got routine care.
Schumer said major veterans organizations are also pushing the VA to explain its use of hydroxychloroquine.
“There are concerns that they are using this drug when the medical evidence says it doesn’t help and could hurt,” Schumer said.
With Post wires