Chloroquine phosphate is usually prescribed in tablet form; I think the dosage is 500 mg. per tablet. But, it is also used in a much higher amount as the active ingredient in a powder used to clean aquariums that is widely available. According to the guy's wife, they had a container of the stuff that they used to clean their koi pond. The husband saw the name on the ingredient list and thought, "Gee, this is what we've been hearing about on the news". The wife said they poured an unknown quantity of it into some soda and drank it.
As you said, Darwin at work.
I've heard and read reports that some lupus patients are starting to complain that the supply of the drug - which they need to deal with pain - is starting to dry up because of hoarders. I think it was in Ohio that the pharmacy board had to warn doctors about writing too many prescriptions for it - they were writing scripts for themselves, their families, and their friends. Some pharmacists caught on and blew the whistle on them. If it's happening in Ohio, it's a good bet that it's happening elsewhere as well. Personally, I think any doctor who does something like that, especially at a time like this, should have their license suspended. |
