“With COVID-19 continuing its spread across the state and personal protective equipment supplies already in short supply, there is intense pressure on Michigan’s community of healthcare providers to treat the growing number of infected patients while also managing to maintain their own personal health. These physicians, pharmacists and healthcare staff members deserve a tremendous amount of recognition and admiration for their willingness to potentially place themselves in harm’s way as they to continue to provide critical treatment and medicine to both patients with regular health needs and those now battling COVID-19.”

“The Michigan State Medical Society and the Michigan Pharmacists Association recognize the need to maintain adherence to appropriate prescribing and dispensing of prescription drugs outlined in the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ reminder that prescribing hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine with the intent to stockpile the drug may create a shortage for patients with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or other ailments for which chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are proven treatments.’”

“Any prescription medicine that may be effective in treating COVID-19 must be reserved for Michigan’s sickest and most vulnerable patients.”